Conspicuously, no one has proclaimed Beijing the greatest Games ever – a catchphrase that is uttered at the conclusion of nearly all recent Olympiads. Of course, debate will rage over which of these magnificent events is in fact the greatest but, like anything else, it is merely opinion.

China, after spending tens of billions of dollars improving their infrastructure and building facilities never before seen at such events, was certainly ready for the Games. There was controversy but, to be fair to China, has there ever been a host who has not had their own shrouded issues?

Yes, there was the never-ending debate on Tibet and human rights. There were draconian measures implemented before the Games, including forced closure of factories and facilities to reduce pollution. But there was no doubt that Beijing did indeed put on a grand spectacle.

Napoleon once said words to the effect that when China awakens from its slumber, then the world would be compelled to notice. It is the first time since the 1936 Olympics that another country other than the United States or Russia/Soviet Union has topped the medal count.

The hosts won 51 gold medals, 100 medals in total. Only the all-conquering Soviet team in 1988 has won more with 55 (the United States and Soviet Union won more in both 1980 and 1984, but there were international boycotts of both of these events).

Being host nation, China had the advantage, being given automatic qualification to every event. Also, there is always the “host” hangover – so many would expect China to struggle to top the medal count in London in 2012 - Greece won 26 gold medals in Athens, but could only manage four in Beijing.

However, it is likely that China will again dominate in London, despite the surprise emergence of Great Britain as an Olympic power. The initiatives spearheaded by the Chinese to promote success have been strong and have the resources of the world’s fastest growing economy and a billion people.

The most heralded of these is the special “Project 119”, designed to increase parity of the Chinese in the medal-rich sports of swimming, track, rowing, kayaking and sailing – disciplines that the Chinese are not traditionally proficient in.

However, despite the increased media coverage this programme has received, it only accounted officially for four gold medals. The increased count was down to dramatically enhanced results in the traditional sports of the Chinese – diving (seven gold medals), gymnastics and table tennis (eight gold medals).

Controversially, China won 27 gold medals in sports where scores were judged, while the USA only won four of their gold medals in this fashion. But there is no denying the perfection of the Chinese in the most prominent of judged sports – diving.

Who were the big names of the Games? Michael Phelps, now the most decorated Olympian in history, won eight gold medals. If he were a country, he would have tied ninth in the medal count. In men’s swimming, the rest of the world won seven golds – further exhibiting the dominance of this exceptional American.

Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, was responsible for half of Jamaica’s gold medals, with the small island nation winning six. Per capita, they won one gold for every 450,000 residents. In perspective, China won a gold medal for every 25 million people. But it was Bolt’s and Jamaica’s finest games. Between 1980 and 2008, Jamaica won three gold medals. In six days the incomparable sprinter won the same number.

The greatest improvement, of course, came from Great Britain, with their much-heralded lottery funding programme paying huge dividends. Their 47 medals were the most in their history and a 17-medal increase from Athens. With the next Games being held in London, they will likely head the table, and it is the first time in 68 years the old country has hosted the Games. Their improvement was spearheaded by their cycling team, which won seven of the 10 gold medals on offer.

Altogether, 87 countries won medals, the most of any Olympics in history – an indicator that, despite the success of richer countries, even tiny nations can field athletes that can compete against the world’s best.

Of final special note there is India – with nearly 20 per cent of the world’s population, they won their first individual gold medal when Abhinav Bindra triumphed in the 10m air rifle competition. They won less than one per cent of the medals on offer. Compare that to the United States with less than five per cent of the world’s people, who won nearly 12 per cent of the medals.

Ah, what a extraordinary Games! In less than 1,500 days, we get to do it all over again.