Usain Bolt's lightning gold-medal runs, in less time than an average person takes to write the shortest text message, reflects the pace of life in today's world.

     Till Sunday night, they were all part of what IOC President Jacques Rogge said was a "truly exceptional" Olympics.

     But by last night, 11,263 members of different countries' teams, from the US and the UK to Russia and Malaysia, had left Beijing on 267 flights. Another 3,200 people will leave the city today.

     And what was the Olympic Village till Sunday night had become Paralympic Village by yesterday morning, though it opens formally on Saturday.

     Another sports spectacle will unfold in the shape of the Paralympics from Sept 6 to 17, but there is no denying the indescribable hollowness the end of the Olympics has left.

     The sadness, however, did not stop Beijing Olympics organizers (BOCOG) from entertaining the departing athletes and officials, with volunteers dressed like Fuwa, the Games mascots, mingling with passengers in a part of Beijing airport's new terminal.

     But not all athletes are in a hurry to leave, notwithstanding the glorious welcome awaiting some of them back home. Many of the athletes who sweated it out at the Games have decided to stay for some more days to explore Beijing - its food, nightclubs and shopping centers such as the