The opening ceremony for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games from Beijing, China set the tone for what was one of the most memorable Games ever.

These Olympics had plenty of storylines and despite the controversy, the entertainment did not disappoint.

The first thing people will remember from these games is Michael Phelps and his record eight gold medals – and rightfully so. Phelps set four world records and one Olympic record individually, and helped the USA relay team set three world records. The footage of him screaming with his teammates has etched its place in Olympic history.

There was controversy during the Men’s 100-meter butterfly, when Phelps won by one one-hundredth of a second over Milorad Cavic of Serbia. Replays showed that Cavic was in position to touch first, while Phelps was in the process of finishing a stroke. But the censors never lie; right?

Let’s not forget the unsung hero, USA’s Jason Lezak, who rallied the United States in the Men’s 4 x 100 freestyle relay to a world-record time, edging France, who had done a little talking prior to the race, with swimmer Alain Bernard saying they came here to “crush” the Americans.

The United States fared well in gymnastics. USA’s men’s team took home a bronze medal in the Team All-Around, despite being one of the underdogs. USA’s women’s team earned a silver medal, falling just short of China, who took gold.

There was more controversy, this time surrounding the Chinese gymnastics team. The majority of their team looked well under the minimum age requirement of 16. Some barely looked 12.

According to ESPN, the International Olympic Committee asked the International Gymnastics Federation to investigate any potential foul play. ESPN’s Web site said online records and media reports state that He Kexin, who helped the Chinese win gold in the Team All-Around and took gold in the uneven bars, may be 14 years old.

If this is in fact the case, China should forfeit their medals. Lowering the age isn’t the answer, even if the best gymnasts are 13 or 14. That’s just too much pressure for kids at that age.

Former U.S. gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi said China was using “half-people,” in regards to their age. Being that the Olympics took place in China, might there have been some home-cookin’ going on? Karolyi said during a telecast that China’s Cheng Fei’s vault score was a major judging error, and a “rip off.”

Fei earned a bronze medal in the vault, edging U.S.’s Alicia Sacramone by 25 hundredths of a point, despite the fact that she fell on the landing.

On a positive note, it was nice to see the U.S. men’s basketball team, known as the “Redeem Team”, finally show up and win gold in the Olympics for the first time since 2000. Talent-wise, it’s never been an issue for these U.S. teams. It seems they finally realized it was about the name on the front of their jerseys rather than the names on the back.

They seemed much more determined after being embarrassed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, when that U.S. team took home a bronze medal.

Records were shattered in track and field, where Jamaica’s Usain “Lightning” Bolt, a 6-foot-5 sprinter, now holds world records in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and, along with his teammates, the 4×100 meter relay.

During the 100-meter race, Bolt quickly separated himself from the rest of the field, and famously celebrated early by looking around and pounding his chest well before he crossed the finish line. His 9.69 time set a new world record, despite the fact that he let up at the end.

It makes you wonder how good his time could have been had he finished strong. Regardless, he was entertaining to watch. While some people think what he did was uncalled for, if you’re that good, you have the right to show off.

These games have been special and regarding Phelps, we witnessed something we may never see again. Let’s just hope everyone plays by the rules in 2012.

Kyle Kersher can be reached at kkersher@statehornet,com