Curtain call

The party's over as 'truly exceptional' Games go out with a bang | Photos

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Olympians touch down

PM Kevin Rudd greets Stephanie Rice. (AAP)

The majority of Australia's Beijing Olympic Games athletes have touched down in Sydney this morning to a heroes' welcome.

Doping casts doubt on equestrian future

The future of Olympic equestrian events is in doubt after doping scandals rocked at the Hong Kong venue.

China deports eight detained Americans

China has deported eight Americans who were detained in Beijing last week after a wave of pro-Tibet protests coinciding with the Olympics, the US embassy says.

Sore heads for partying Aussie athletes

There were more than a few Australian athletes with sore heads on Monday morning after a night out celebrating the end of the Beijing Games.

PHOTOS:

Dutch appeal Olympic disqualification

2 hours 11 mins ago

The Dutch Antilles Olympic Committee (NAOC) has filed an appeal after Churandy Martina was stripped of his silver medal in the men's 200m final in Beijing.

Thursday Sep 4 19:32 AEST

Belarus medal-winning duo fail dope test

4 Sep 2008

Belarus' Olympic silver and bronze hammer medallists Vadim Devyatovsky and Ivan Tikhan have failed dope tests, the Russian news agency Allsport reported.

Tuesday Sep 2 06:25 AEST

Brazilian rider's horse tests positive

2 Sep 2008

Rufus, the mount of former Olympic champion Rodrigo Pessoa at the Beijing Games, has tested positive for a banned substance, the FEI says.

Saturday Aug 30 07:01 AEST

Mugabe gives Olympic champ $US100,000

30 Aug 2008

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has given $US100,000 ($A116,000) to champion swimmer Kirsty Coventry who won gold and silver at the Beijing Olympics.

Saturday Aug 30 06:58 AEST

IOC sues Greek coach over doping cases

By Derek Gatopoulos | 30 Aug 2008

The International Olympic Committee has filed a lawsuit against a Greek track coach after two of his athletes were expelled from the Beijing Games for doping.

Friday Aug 29 07:01 AEST

London mayor defiant over Beijing button

29 Aug 2008

London's mayor Boris Johnson has revealed he had ignored requests by Chinese officials to button up his jacket for the big event.

Wednesday Aug 27 16:09 AEST

China to auction Yao Ming's Olympic bed

27 Aug 2008

China plans to auction off 20 million items related to the Beijing Olympics, including the bed that basketball star Yao Ming slept in during the Games.

Tuesday Aug 26 18:19 AEST

Rice denies Phelps' relationship rumours

By Eoin Blackwell | 26 Aug 2008

Rumours of a trans-Pacific golden couple are just wrong, according to Aussie swim star Stephanie Rice.

Tuesday Aug 26 17:49 AEST

Aussie Olympians look ahead to London

26 Aug 2008

Australia's Olympians basked in the glory of their Beijing achievements after touching down in Sydney, but their sights are already set on London in 2012.

Tuesday Aug 26 17:02 AEST

We did beat the Brits: Ellis

26 Aug 2008

Federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis reckons Australia did beat archrivals Great Britain at the Beijing Olympics - on one indicator at least.

Tuesday Aug 26 17:00 AEST

Mills unsure about NBA draft

By Adrian Warren | 26 Aug 2008

Olympic rookie Patrick Mills is keeping his options open about nominating for the NBA draft despite being hailed as a future NBA player by the American coach.

Blog: Great leaps forward

Olympic venues during the Opening Ceremony (AAP)

And the silver goes to...The Beijing Olympics get top marks on a technical level but a lack of artistry — and emotion — means they aren't the greatest Games ever, writes Mat Mackay.

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Girls frontrunners for flag, says CoatesThe most excelling athlete should carry the flag. Sex should not be the determining factor.

134 comments so far: Have your say Graves, Kamakazi to ride in BMX semiswhat a poor effort by 7 . the worst coverage of any sporting event i have seen. one would expect more for the olympic games but i guess not channel 7....

280 comments so far: Have your say

Aussie focus

Lauren JacksonOpals captain Lauren Jackson is undoubtedly our most accomplished superstar to hit the courts in Beijing.

Australian triathlon hope Emma Snowsill. (AAP)

Craig MottramThe Africans that dominate distance running call him the "Big Mazungo" and Craig Mottram put in a huge effort on the track.

Craig Mottram is running against the odds. (AAP)

Andrew BogutThe $70m-man was one of the standouts in the Boomers' brave charge to the quarter-finals.

NBA superstar Andrew Bogut holds the key to our basketball medal hopes. (AAP)

Steamy Rice cuts loose

Triple gold medallist Stephanie Rice gets down in Beijing ... more photos 'Aussies can bring it'

A "circus tall" Vince Vaughn schools ninemsn's Mat Mackay on the biggest party in town ... watch video Day 14 highlights

Surprise medals for Australia in the kayaking as Jared Tallent made history in the 50km walk... more photos 'Sweat-fest' in Beijing

ninemsn's Mat Mackay discovers what it's really like to train in the scorching heat... watch more Hooker wins gold

Steve Hooker has become the first Australian male to win a track and field gold in 40 years ... watch video World's sexiest athletes

Some of the world's best looking athletes are in Beijing strutting their stuff ... more photos Glory and tears

The Olympics don't always lead to your dream and sometimes it gets a bit emotional ... more photos

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Iemma wasn't pushed: ReesNewly sworn-in NSW Premier Nathan Rees has denied pushing Morris Iemma out of the top job, while admitting the government has let the state down.