For 16 days in August, the whole world was consumed by our greatest sporting festival. But, despite what the purists say, the Olympic Games is about more than sport... Along with the world records, personal bests and sad defeats, jostling for pole position in Beijing 2008 were legends dangling from wires, amazing architecture, sassy sportsmen 'bolting' to victory, enticing marketing and heroes hanging up their spikes.

So what captured Chinese imaginations? The second the Olympic flame was extinguished in Beijing, Synovate spoke with more than 500 urban Chinese to get their take on all-things-Olympic (and set our own Olympic record in the process... the interviews were completed in seven hours!).

It turns out parochialism took a back seat when it came to celebrating sporting achievement... the Chinese were equally impressed with Michael Phelps' and Usain Bolt's jaw-dropping achievements, singling these two sporting moments out ahead of any of China's 51 Gold medal wins.

And now the party's over it's clear that the legacy of Beijing 2008, for the Chinese people at least, will always be an emotional one. Sixty percent of Chinese say the most important Beijing bequest is that the rest of the world has learned about China... (To learn even more, click here.)

Artwork by Christine Vineyard. Christine is one of the many art students affiliated with UGallery.com. Please click here to see or purchase more of this artist's work.