The 2008 Summer Olympics were held in Beijing, China from August 8 to August 24. This event marked the first time China hosted the Olympics, featuring over 10,000 athletes from 204 countries competing in 302 events across 28 sports. The games were notable for their impressive opening ceremony, directed by Zhang Yimou, and the construction of iconic venues like the Bird's Nest stadium and the Water Cube. The United States topped the medal count, winning a total of 110 medals, including 36 golds, while China finished second with 100 medals, including 48 golds.