BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Olympic Games are "truly exceptional Games," said International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge at the Games' closing ceremony staged in the National Stadium in northern Beijing on Sunday night.

He repeated the words in French.

"Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world. Athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees came to these dazzling venues and awed us with their talent," Rogge said in his closing speech.

The IOC president said the past 16 glorious days will be cherished forever. "New stars were born. Stars from past Games amazed us again. We shared their joys and their tears, and we marveled at their ability. We will long remember the achievements we witnessed here."

He praised the athletes as "true role models". "You have shown us the unifying power of sport. The Olympic spirit lives in the warm embrace of competitors from nations in conflict. Keep that spirit alive when you return home."

Rogge expressed best wishes for the athletes who will participate in the upcoming Paralympic Games, scheduled for Sept. 6-17. "They also inspire us."

He also thanked the people of China, all the volunteers and the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Summer Olympics.

At the end of his speech, Rogge declared the closing of the Beijing Games in French, and called upon the youth of the world to assemble four years from now in London to celebrate the 30th summer Olympic Games.

President Rogge's Speech:

Dear Chinese Friends,

Tonight, we come to the end of 16 glorious days which we will cherish forever.

Thank you to the people of China, all the wonderful volunteers and BOCOG!

Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world. Athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees came to these dazzling venues and awed us with their talent.

New stars were born. Stars from past Games amazed us again. We shared their joys and their tears, and we marvelled at their ability. We will long remember the achievements we witnessed here.

As we celebrate the success of these Games, let us all together wish the best for the talented athletes who will soon participate in the Paralympic Games. They also inspire us.

To the athletes tonight: You were true role models. You have shown us the unifying power of sport. The Olympic spirit lives in the warm embrace of competitive rivals from nations in conflict. Keep that spirit alive when you return home.

These were truly exceptional Games!

And now, in accordance with tradition, 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.

Thank you!

譯文如下：

親愛的中國朋友們，今晚，我們即將走到16天光輝歷程的終點。這些日子，將在我們的心中永遠珍藏，感謝中國人民，感謝所有出色的志愿者，感謝北京奧組委。

通過本屆奧運會，世界更多地了解了中國，中國更多地了解了世界，來自204個國家和地區奧委會的運動健兒們在光彩奪目的場館里同場競技，用他們的精湛技藝博得了我們的贊嘆。

新的奧運明星誕生了，往日的奧運明星又一次帶來驚喜，我們分享他們的歡笑和淚水，我們欽佩他們的才能與風采，我們將長久銘記再次見證的輝煌成就。

在慶祝奧運會圓滿成功之際，讓我們一起祝福才華洋溢的殘奧會運動健兒們，希望他們在即將到來的殘奧會上取得優秀的成績。他們也令我們倍感鼓舞，今晚在場的每位運動員們，你們是真正的楷模，你們充分展示了體育的凝聚力。

來自沖突國家競技對手的熱情擁抱之中閃耀著奧林匹克精神的光輝。希望你們回國后讓這種精神生生不息，時代永存。

這是一屆真正的無與倫比的奧運會，現在，遵照慣例，我宣布第29屆奧林匹克運動會閉幕，并號召全世界青年四年后在倫敦舉辦的第30屆奧林匹克運動會上相聚，謝謝大家！