There were faked fireworks. A nine-year old with a talent for lip synching. And there was Michael Phelps’ record breaking gold medal haul.

So what will the Games of the XXIX Olympiad be remembered for?

Probably all of the above.

And if you’re Australian, Stephanie Rice’s triple Gold medal feat in the pool and Steve Hooker’s first Aussie Gold in track and field in 40 years.

Oh, and let’s not forget 100 metre hurdler Sally McLellan and her post race interview after claiming Australia’s first ever female Olympic medal in the event.

“Did you see me? Did you see how pumped I was?”.

Pure youthful exuberance.

However, I couldn’t help but be bemused at the antics that unfolded off the track rather than on it.

I’m talking here about media outlets from certain countries taking liberties when presenting the overall medal tally.

It’s been said time and time again that nobody remembers who comes second. Similarly, the International Olympic Committee reflects that sentiment by ranking nations according to the number of Gold medals won.

Not Silver. Not Bronze. Not total medals. Not medals per capita. Simply, total number of Gold Medals won.

It’s a fact that seems to be lost on some.

Take for examples the United States and its Olympic television network.

Someone forgot to tell the Americans that their table which ranks nations according to “total” number of medals secured has zero legitimacy with the IOC.

Oh look, what a coincidence. Guess who tops the medal tally under the NBC’s criteria?

Before we kick the USA too hard, hypocrisy is never too far away and yes, you guessed it, one Australian commercial network has been just as guilty,

Introducing the "adjusted" medal table based on per capita of population.

During the opening days of the Games when our swimmers were sweeping up Gold in the pool, Australia was at the top of the “per capita” table.

That soon changed following Jamaica’s success in track and field. The network in question would have been better off sticking to the official IOC table where Australia was indeed ranked higher.

For the record, this is how history will record the Overall Medal Standings at the Beijing Games.

Oh, and just for fun, top of the medal standings for the nation which won its first ever medal at an Olympic Games with a canoe/kayaker breaking a paddle over the line in celebration goes to…….

Togo.