Gold
Opening Ceremony
From the Bird’s Nest and artistic director Zhang Yimou, to the 80 heads of state and countless CEOs in attendance, the opening ceremony dazzled spectators with a condensed lesson on Chinese history and numerous amazing moments. The production was powerful, it generated the best overnight rating for a non-U.S. opening ceremony ever, and it definitely started things off on a strong note.

Yao Ming leads the Chinese delegation during the opening ceremony.

Silver
U.S. Olympic Committee
The USOC came to China prepared to show that its USA five-ring logo still has value, and the organization has delivered early by announcing two sponsorship renewals with 24 Hour Fitness and Allstate. The combined deals are valued at more than $20 million over four years and give the organization some momentum as it heads into the final four months of this year’s renewal cycle. Major renewals remaining to be done include Bank of America, Home Depot and AT&T.

Bronze
Ralph Lauren
Was Outkast’s Andre 3000 the inspiration for the Team USA’s opening ceremony attire? The group looked sharp in blue blazers and white pants, but the decision to wear white newsboy caps shrouded their faces as they walked into the stadium.

Tin
The heat, haze and humidity
The downside of the opening ceremony was the weather. People waited in lines in some places for close to two hours, sweating under the 93-degree heat and muggy, hazy sky.