IOC gives seal of approval

BEIJING (AFP) - The International Olympic Committee gave the Beijing Olympics its seal of approval Sunday, expressing itself "extremely pleased" with the Games which saw China emerge as the power in sports.

Kenyan Samuel Wanjiru lead off the final day of competition, relishing the heat to record an historic first Olympic marathon for the African nation.

Zou Shiming won China's first ever boxing gold and his country's 50th gold of the Games when he claimed the light-flyweight title.

At the end of 16 days of competition and 302 events, China had 51 gold medals, 15 more than the United States on 36, with Russia winning 23 and Great Britain 19.It is the first time China has won the gold medal count, although in total medals won the USA has 110 to China's 100.

Wanjiru, striding to Kenya's first marathon success, celebrated in the hot sun as be broke the 24-year-old Games record while those around him wilted.

"I had to push the pace to tire the other runners. I had to push the pace because my body gets tired in the heat when I slow down," he said as temperatures rose towards 30 degrees.

"It feels good to make history here. It feels good to make history for Kenya and win the gold."