Olympics end with pride

The 28th summer Olympics came to a close on Sunday with IOC chief describing them 'as unforgettable, dream Games'. Medal Tally | Pics

Greece staged a giant party on Sunday to celebrate bringing the Olympics back to their spiritual homeland in triumphant style.

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"You have won," International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge told the fiercely proud Greeks at the closing ceremony.

"These Games were held in peace and brotherhood. These were the Games where it became increasingly difficult to cheat (with drugs) and where clean athletes were better protected."

The words were sweet music to the Greeks, who defied the doom merchants who said Athens could never pull off the greatest sports show on earth.

"The Olympics came home and we've shown the world the great things Greeks can do," said Athens Games boss Gianna Angelopoulos.

"Athens was great for the athletes, Greece was great for the Games."

WORLD'S EYES

For this country of 10 million, the closing ceremony crowned an extraordinary summer of sport when the eyes of the world were on them.

First came their improbable victory as 80-1 outsiders in the Euro 2004 soccer tournament. Then, still nursing a nationwide hangover, they hosted 10,500 Olympic athletes from 202 countries with barely a hitch.

Thanking those athletes, Angelopoulos said: "Because of you, the Olympic Games are the most powerful source of inspiration and hope to humanity."