China's team praised as London Olympics close
Party time for athletes, with China's team hailed for finishing second in medals table and London acclaimed for hosting such a spectacular Games
The curtain came down on the London Olympics last night, with both China and Britain hailing the 30th summer Games the "best ever" - for different reasons.
Sports minister Liu Peng praised the China team's achievement, which saw it finish second behind the United States in the medals table.
"We have achieved the best ever Olympic result outside China and our athletes have also set six world records," said Liu.
"We have maintained our advantages in traditional strongholds, while also making breakthroughs in some other up-and-coming events."
China won a record 51 gold medals in Beijing four years ago and claimed 38 in London.
Twenty-seven of those were won in table tennis, badminton, diving, gymnastics, weightlifting, shooting and trampolining - all areas where the country has previously shown its strength.