International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge delivers a speech at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, on Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

     International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge declared the 29th summer Olympic Games of Beijing closed in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in north Beijing on Sunday night.

    "I declare the Games of the XXIX Olympiad closed, and I call upon the youth of the world to assemble four years from now in London to celebrate the Games of the XXX Olympiad," said the IOC chief at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Games.

    When the IOC chief ended his speech with "thank you" in English, French and Chinese to the audience in the Bird's Nest, thunderous applause exploded in the stadium, with tens of thousands of hands waving in the air to celebrate the closing of the perfect Beijing Games.

    Labeling the Beijing Olympic Games as "truly exceptional," Rogge praised the Games have presented 16 glorious days to be cherished forever by the whole world.

    By the end of Saturday, a total of 43 world records were set and more than 120 Olympic records were renewed at the Games.