The torch flame extinguished on a rarely fair night, the 22nd Daegu World University Games drew close its curtain.

All was like a usual farewell ceremony of a sports meet except the everlasting warm memories the 11 rainy days of experience engraved in people's minds.

Thunderous cheers were touched off when the athletes from all over the world entered in a mingled group, followed by the joint entry of the South Korean and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

But the cheers had been even more deafening when the two countries marched in, hands joined, as a symbol of peace and unity,best illustrating the Games theme "Dream for Unity" in the openingceremony.

It was a moving moment reminding all of the same scene in last year's Busan Asian Games when the DPR Korea made their first ever presence in a multi-sport event held in South Korea.

"Today, we are drawing down the curtain of this grand sporting festival for university students in which participants showed sincerity in exchanging friendships and sharing tolerance toward each other," said Daegu Universiade Organizing Committee Cho Hae-Nyung in the farewell address.

George Killian, president of the International University Sports Federation, spoke highly of the Games in his closing address.

"Some eleven days ago it was my pleasure and honor to welcome you and to help open the 2003 Summer Universiade here in the city of Youth, Daegu, (South) Korea," he said.

"Since that evening, we have all been treated to some very wonderful competitions.

"In addition, we have seen the wonderful people of the city of Daegu... Their kind hospitality was most appreciated by all," the 79-year-old said.

"See you all in Izmir, Turkey in 2005," he said.

The FISU flag was passed from Cho to Killian, and then to the Izmir Universiade Organizing Committee president Ahmet Piristina, who is the mayor of the coastal city.

In retrospect of the games, the organizers could take pride in their efforts inviting over 6,600 athletes and officials from 174 countries and regions to the Aug. 21-31 collegiate gathering, which had welcomed nine more members than in the then-largest Universiade in Beijing two years ago.

It was also a happy moment for them when Iraq, a small Asian nation missing from the comprehensive international competition for many years due to by continuous close-off and then a damaging war, sent an eight-men delegation despite financial difficulties to the southern city of South Korea.

China dominated the medal race for the second consecutive time with 41 golds, 27 silvers and 13 bronzes whereas the United States,a five-time game top finisher, slipped to the eighth with just five golds.

53 countries and regions made it to the medal tally while in last games, 50 won medals.

The games winner collected 19 golds from the diving and swimming events with their world champions and Olympic winners.

Ukraine also outshone in the swimming pool as the team boasted of their double world champion Yana Klochkova, who was in a five-way lead as the multi-medal winner of four golds with Chinese diver Wu Minxia, South Korean gymnast Yang Tae Young, Russian swimmer Yuri Prilukov and Russian gymnast Irina Chashchina..

There were altogether 21 game records broken, including 19 in swimming and two from the track and field.

The only world mark set, however, was from the optional sport of archery where Mary Zorn of the United States shot 687 points totie the current world record in the women's individual 70m compound while her team pulled off a new mark in the team event on2033 points.

South Korea, delivering one of the best Universiade, will be remembered both as a successful host and a good competitor.

Their world-standard venues, advanced information system and the help of enthusiastic volunteers were just as impressing as they had been in the previous international competition South Korea held.

The last day of the Universiade also saw two titles in men's events.

The host landed the volleyball title as they held off arch rivals Japan 3-2 (17-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17, 15-12) to finish third in the medal tally, an all-time in their Universiade history.They chalked up 26 golds, 11 silvers and 15 bronzes.

Serbia and Montenegro grabbed their only title at the games in the basketball final, brushing aside Russia 85-76, who stood in second (26-22-34).