Beijing (PTI): The 2008 Beijing Olympics have left nine legacies for the world, including a key element for the usually boisterous Chinese spectators for whom the Games served as a 'growing-up ceremony' to be "more tolerant."

The Beijing Olympics has contributed to a "more mature public in sports," the Guangzhou Daily said in an article, citing this as the number one legacy of the Games.

"The Olympics has awarded something more valuable than the 51 gold medals it seized at the Games," it said.

The article pointed that Team China has created the best record ever since its attendance at the Olympics; but more importantly, Chinese spectators matured and became more rational by hosting the Games.

The Olympics served as a 'growing-up ceremony' for Chinese spectators, as was described in the article.

"This can partially reflect the fact that the Chinese nation has built confidence; and as result, become more tolerant," the article says.

The Games have enhanced the awareness of environmental protection among Chinese people, it said, noting that Beijing has materialised its promise of a green Olympics.

The Chinese people have built up an unprecedented awareness for environmental protection; and a strong desire to improve environmental standards," the paper says.

Thirdly, the Olympics have served as a driving force for the economy. The successful bid for the Olympics in 2001 added Olympic factors to China's sustained economic growth, propelling the increase of infrastructural investment in the host city and other supporting cities and spurring their overall development.

In 2001, China's annual GDP was less than 11 trillion yuan (USD 1.6 trillion) in total; while in the first half of 2008, the total volume of its annual GDP already exceeded 13 trillion yuan.

Experts estimated that direct revenue from the Beijing Olympics totals approximately USD 2 billion. If Olympic-related industries are included, the total economic influence spurred by the Olympics will reach USD 71.7 billion.

The Games have also helped the 5,000-year-old nation to showcase Chinese culture to the global audience during the 16-day event.

China also used the Olympic platform to engage in a "diplomatic feast", the paper said, noting that 86 heads of State and international dignitaries attended the opening ceremony, which also chalked up a record in Olympic history.

US President George W Bush made history as the first US president to show up to an Olympic opening ceremony. From India, UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her family were present for the gala opening event.

"Half of the world leaders gathered in Beijing and enjoyed a diplomatic feast on the sidelines of the Olympics. The Games has been used by these policy makers as a golden opportunity to extend goodwill to one another," it said.

The sixth legacy was the presence of over 25,000- strong media crew which experienced "China's openness and transparency in information services during the the Games," the article claimed.

Beijing also ensured that the Olympics largely remained incident free. A 110,000-strong public security force composed of policemen, armed police forces and paramilitary troopers worked relentlessly to ensure a safe Olympics.

Spectacular upliftment of city layout which saw an investment of 280 billion yuan and an "army of volunteers" are the other two legacies of the Games.

More than 1.7 million people served as volunteers in 2,940 posts at the Games, a record in Olympic history.