The Games of the 29th Olympiad ended Sunday night in Beijing on a spectacular note that was the colorful bookend to the wondrous opening ceremonies two weeks before. These Olympics saw events organized with such perfection that future hosts -- notably, London in 2012 -- must wonder how they can follow such an act.

This is what national commitment, $43 billion and an army of volunteers can bring. Sunday night's closing ceremony was part Dr. Seuss, part Rube Goldberg, part Flash Gordon, with all the surreal mix illuminated by fireworks.

As good as the show was, the venues were also first-class. The athletes thrived in these settings and some performances became the stuff of legend, including Michael Phelps' record eight gold medals in the pool and Usain Bolt's three gold medals for Jamaica on the track.

This was a Pleasantville of an Olympiad, a bright and shining and friendly place -- but only to those who behaved themselves by not complaining. The shadows of harsher realities were barely allowed to intrude -- any talk of Tibet was suppressed, the designated protests areas were left empty. Even the blue skies were misleading, arranged by restricting vehicles and closing factories to keep pollution at bay.

A government that can orchestrate such a massive event can use its powers in the world for good or ill. Puffed up now with pride, we shall see if China lives up to the peaceful image it cultivated at such cost in Beijing in 2008.