Beckham kick-starts 2012 Games

The Beijing Games long will be remembered for American swimmer Michael Phelps winning a remarkable eight gold medals and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt's dominant performances.

There will be less appealing footnotes for the murder of a USA coach's father-in-law, questionable ages of Chinese women gymnasts and the attack on a referee by a Cuban taekwondo player.

Now, the Games shift back to the West.

The 2012 London Games got off to a favorable start Sunday during the closing ceremony when British soccer legend David Beckham arrived in the Bird's Nest in a double-decker bus.

He was presented with a soccer ball that he kicked into the crowd.

It was a good omen for London, as its oft-injured native son did not need medical attention after bending the ball into a group of British athletes.

• PHELPS LOOKS AHEAD -- While most Summer Olympians were cavorting on the floor of the Bird's Nest during the closing ceremony, Phelps was in London, helping to welcome the Games.

"I am looking forward to trying some new events, some events I've never really had the opportunity to swim since my schedule is always so crowded," the 14-time gold-medal winner said.

Phelps ruled out the breaststroke and open-water marathon, adding, "at least those guys will still be my friends."

Water polo, perhaps?

MOST INSPIRATIONAL -- The most inspiring athlete in a runaway was South African Natalie du Toit, the amputee who competed in the inaugural open-water swim.

"Swimming is something where I can take my leg off and be completely free in the water," she said. "That's who I am."

Du Toit lost the lower half of her left leg seven years ago in a motorbike accident. Not even stinging jellyfish or circling sharks kept her from finishing 16th in the 10-kilometer swim.

• U.S. MEDAL METTLE -- Despite horrendous results for Americans in track and field and boxing, the United States beat China for most medals won 110-100 while China won the race for gold, 51-36.

Overall, it was a good showing by the Americans considering China has four times as many people and its athletes lack the freedom of choice when selecting which state-funded sports program to join.

• EMOTIONAL GOLD -- Nothing in Beijing can top the U.S. men's volleyball effort after the father-in-law of coach Hugh McCutcheon was slain in a knife attack two weeks ago at a China tourist attraction.

All of U.S. volleyball rallied behind the death of Todd Bachman. The men's and women's duos won golds on the beach, and the women's indoor team earned a best-ever silver.

COMPILED BY JEFF WOLF REVIEW-JOURNAL