BEIJING, China – As I sat in wonderment while the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony exploded around me with fireworks, song, dance, colorful garb and an excited collection of Olympic athletes, as well as an international television audience, I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.

I thought to myself, “There is no place like home.”

However, if I have to be away from my loved ones, China is a place I can endure the separation.

I was left in awe after walking to the top of the Great Wall, traversing the incredible architecture of the Forbidden City, perusing the Summer Palace and Beihai Park, sauntering in Tiananmen Square, and catching the bullet train to the beautiful Pacific Ocean Coastal City of Tianjin.

I was shocked by the efficiency in which the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games implemented transportation to venues and media hotels. Also, the overall transportation systems used in this city of 17 million, like subways, buses, trains and the millions of taxicabs, was unbelievable.

I was in awe by the sheer volume of international media in print and television that come to the Olympics and report on the Games. Sitting on the media buses or in the dining areas, the multitude of languages spoken was enlightening.

I was in shock at the architectural creativity of the National Stadium (The Birds Nest), the National Aquatics Center (The Water Cube), the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center and the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium, just to name a few. All of the venues were something out of a sci-fi movie.

I was in awe at the sincere cordiality of the people in China and mostly everyone from around the world as we all marched into each other’s space for almost a month.

I was shocked that both the United States men and women 4x100 relay teams eliminated themselves from medal competition by mishandling the baton. I think the pressure from the Jamaican women and men permeated deep into the U.S. contingent and they obviously felt it.

I was in awe of how 23-year-old Michael Phelps surpassed Mark Spitz’s 36-year record of seven gold medals during one Games. He garnered eight golds with seven of them coming in world-record times. He also passed Olympic legends Paavo Nurmi, Carl Lewis and Larysa Latynina, as his career gold medal tally reached 14, including the six he won in Athens (2004).

I was shocked that Jamaica’s Usain Bolt could run as fast as he did. The human body can only run so fast, because there is a point where the muscles will slit into a million pieces. Bolt made it look so smooth and easy it was incredible to watch. He not only broke the prized 100 meters record, he did likewise in the 200 meters and 4x100 relay.

I was in awe how far the Chinese people have come in sports. They first competed in the Olympics in the Los Angeles Games in 1984, and in that span of time, has joined only Russia and the United States as countries that have won over 100 total medals. The world’s big elephant is out of the mud and lurking.

Although this was my second time visiting Beijing, I was shocked at the sheer enormity of the city, its looming skyline that is unmatched, and the incredible blend of old history and new contemporary style.

I was in awe by just how great the Kenya and Ethiopian distance runners are. They won almost every distance race in both men’s and women’s events, from 800 meters to the marathon.

I’m shocked how the United States women let the Jamaican women win the 100 (a 1-2-3 sweep), the 200 and 400. However, Sanya Richards redeemed the U.S., running down a Russian to lead the women to a 4x400 relay gold medal. The men followed with a record run in the 4x400 and that victory followed a sweep in the 400-meter run.

I was awed that these Olympic Games produced over 40 world records and 120 Olympic records.

I was shocked that the United States boxing team did not win one gold medal. Former world champion Evander Holyfield was here and he said that too many young people are turning professional too soon and they are hurting the U.S. effort and themselves.

I was in awe by the United States’ unprecedented achievements in team sports. The U.S. won medals in every team-participating sport, except men’s soccer and women’s field hockey. The U.S. won gold medals in women’s basketball and soccer, and men’s basketball and volleyball. The U.S. also won silver medals in women’s volleyball, softball and water polo, and men’s water polo. A bronze was also won in baseball.

What these Games reaffirmed to me is that people of the world are basically and genuinely good and it is governments that separate us. The Olympic Games’ grand social experiment of bringing people from every nook and cranny of the world together in a celebrating of sports competition is compelling.

The Olympic hope, my hope, is taken from the Beijing Olympic motto: One Dream, One World . . . We are Family!

Sounds corny? Maybe. But it was true and real for one shining month in Beijing.

Leland Stein can be heard on WGPR radio (107.5) every Sunday from 11 p.m. to midnight. He can be reached at lelstein3@aol.com.