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Events on Friday 8 August 2008 3
20082008 Summer OlympicsXXIX Olympiad - BeijingMichael Phelps breaks Spitz's record with 8 golds. Winner: China.
2008Beijing Olympic GamesChina announces itself to the worldThe 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics opened on 8 August 2008 with a spectacular ceremony watched by an estimated 1 billion people. China topped the gold medal table with 51 golds. The games were China's symbolic coming-out party as a global superpower — a showcase of its economic achievement, organisational capability and national pride. The Bird's Nest stadium and Water Cube became global architectural icons.
2008Beijing OlympicsChina hosts spectacular Summer GamesThe Beijing Olympic Games opened on 08/08/08 with a spectacular ceremony. China topped the gold medal table for the first time. Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals — a single Games record.