Papers hail Beijing and Team GB

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There is broad agreement in the papers that the Beijing Olympics were a great success both for China and Team GB.

The Independent notes fears about pollution proved unfounded, the organisation was smooth and there was practically no scandal.

The Sun says Britain's Olympians have made us prouder than we have been for years, probably since 1966 when England won the World Cup.

But the Mirror reckons England footballer David Beckham stole the show at the closing ceremony.

Quirkily British

Mayor of London Boris Johnson cut a "characteristically rumpled figure" at the Olympic closing ceremony in Beijing, according to the Daily Mail.

It believes the 2012 Games should not try to out-do China, but stick to the budget and deliver something quirkily British, which has a lasting legacy.

But the Financial Times thinks the notion that the Olympics can deliver a legacy on its own is a myth.

In its leader, it argues improved schools and better transport are what is needed for east London to be regenerated, not a three-week sporting event.

'Wrongful imprisonment'

The Daily Telegraph says David Miliband is likely to stay as foreign secretary in an expected reshuffle of Gordon Brown's government, because he would refuse any other job.

But the Daily Mail thinks he might be switching to chancellor, where he would have less time to "cause trouble" for the prime minister.

The Guardian claims as many as 300 former IRA members want to get their convictions overturned and sue the British government for wrongful imprisonment.

Many of them were in the Maze prison and now say their convictions were achieved through tampered evidence and confessions made while under torture.

Writing revelations

A confession by novelist Ruth Rendell has set the gossip mill running at Westminster, says the Daily Express.

She told the paper she once had an affair with a politician but does not spill the beans about who it was. But she did give one clue - apparently he was very small, both in stature and his standing in the world of politics.

Meanwhile, the Times looks at the words we are collectively the worst at getting right.

According to the Collins dictionary, "supersede" is the most mis-spelt word in the English language. Other bugbears include "mortgage", "manoeuvre" and "phlegm".