By DAVID NIELSEN, Scripps Howard News Service

BEIJING -- As the world's spotlight turns away from Beijing, several vexing Olympic questions remain.

Will the 29th Summer Olympics be remembered for their spectacular venues and efficiently run Games or did the glitzy architecture and meticulous precision overshadow a sinister display of state power and abuse?

BEIJING -- BEIJING -- It was well worth the wait.

Sixteen days after the Opening Ceremony - and four years after dropping out of the 10,000 meters at the Athens Olympics -- Dathan Ritzenhein finished ninth in the marathon, the final track event at the Beijing Olympics.

BEIJING -- Capping an unlikely journey from suburban Baltimore to worldwide Olympic stardom, Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics Sunday.

Phelps broke the mark of seven golds in a single Olympics set by American swimmer Mark Spitz at the 1972 Munich Games.

BEIJING -- Cyclist Taylor Phinney finished seventh in the individual pursuit Saturday, capping a momentous year for him and his Boulder family.

With his Mom, Dad, and sister Kelsey leading about 20 friends and family cheering from the front row at the Laoshan Velodrome, Phinney matched up against Hayden Roulston of New Zealand for the 4,000-meter race.

BEIJING -- The world record holder, American Ian Crocker, lurked on one side. The Olympic record holder, Serbian Milorad Cavic, loomed on the other.

Michael Phelps' stood between them on the starting blocks Saturday, his dreams for a record eight gold medals in jeopardy.

BEIJING -- Michael Phelps' historic quest for eight gold medals at these Olympics remained alive Monday. Barely.

BEIJING -- Pre-race wipe down of the starting block. Check.

Headphones secured poolside. Check.

Double-arm wraparound back slap. Check.

Gold medal. World record. One-eighth of the way to immortality.

Check. Check. Check.

An aging athlete stuns the swimming world by coming out of retirement after an eight-year sabbatical to become the oldest woman ever to qualify for the U.S. Olympic swimming team.

Sounds familiar, right? That was Dara Torres -- eight years ago.

At age 33, Torres won five medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, leaving competitors and observers shaking their heads in disbelief.

When the Olympic swimming competition begins Aug. 9, Michael Phelps will enter the pool already recognized as the world's greatest swimmer.

Eight days later, Phelps could leave the Beijing pool as the world's greatest Olympic champion.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Picking the Super Bowl winner. No sweat.

Picking the winner of the NCAA basketball tournament? No thanks.