MOSCOW, August 24 (RIA Novosti) - Russia took third place at the Beijing Olympic Games with 72 medals - 23 gold, 21 silver and 28 bronze.
China came first, with a total of 100 medals (51-21-28), the exact number the country had set itself as a target before the Games began. The U.S. came second with 110 medals, but fewer golds. (36-38-36).
Britain took fourth place with 47 medals (19-13-15).
Russia took four fewer golds at the Beijing Olympics than in Athens in 2004.
The Olympic closing ceremony begins at 8:00 p.m. local time (noon GMT). The next Games will be held in London in 2012.
