It feels like yesterday that we were all looking forward to the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, but two weeks and many medals later the world’s biggest sporting event is drawing to a close.
The closing ceremony for the 30th Olympiad is taking place on Sunday, marking the end of Britain’s most successful Games in more than a Century.
The London Games were always going to special for Britain, but no one imagined quite how special they would actually be.
Some of our biggest stars have delivered fantastic performances, and a few previously unknown sportsmen and women have covered themselves in unexpected glory.
It has been a Games full of memorable moments for countries from around the world, but will always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of the British people.
From record-breaking triumphs to unbelievable feats of endurance, Team GB’s athletes have outdone themselves. So what are the most memorable Team GB moments from the 2012 Olympics?
Chris Hoy breaks records
He was already one of our greatest Olympic athletes going into these Games, but on Tuesday Sir Chris Hoy stormed to victory in the keirin to become our most successful Olympian ever.
Earlier in the Games Sir Chris secured his fifth Olympic gold medal in the men’s team sprint, but it was all down to him on Tuesday evening as he stormed past German Maximilian Levy to take a record-breaking sixth gold medal.
His last ever Olympic medal took him past Sir Steve Redgrave, who was there to congratulate him after the race.
Surprise bronze for gymnastics team
While we can deliver the goods in the velodrome, the world of gymnastics has always been a far greater challenge for Team GB.
The gymnastic prowess of nations like China and America has always made it incredibly tough for Brits, so a medal for Team GB in the men’s team final was astonishing.
British Gymnasts Louis Smith (pictured), Sam Oldham, Kristian Thomas, Max Whitlock and Daniel Purvis delivered the performance of a lifetime to secure Britain’s first gymnastic team medal in 100 years.
Jessica Ennis delivers gold
No Team GB athlete was under more pressure to deliver than the so-called “face of London 2012”, Jessica Ennis.
The pressure from the public and the media was huge, and Jess could easily have crumbled under the weight of expectation. But she stayed calm and focused, and delivered one of her best ever heptathlon performances.
The 26-year-old Sheffield girl recorded a number of personal bests to take an emphatic gold and secure her place in heart of the British public.
Mo Farah makes up for 2008
After Jessica Ennis’s victory earlier in the evening, runner Mo Farah was under pressure to deliver a gold in the men’s 10,000 metre final.
It was a big challenge for the athlete, but Farah ran a near-perfect race to end Ethiopian domination of the event and take home another Team GB gold.
The race was tight throughout but, spurred on by the roaring 80,000-strong crowd, Farah ran a blistering final lap to secure the win over some very tough competition.
Bradley Wiggins rounds off a great summer
After storming to victory in the Tour de France just a couple of weeks ago, few people would have denied cyclist Bradley Wiggins some time off.
But competing is in the blood of all athletes, and Wiggo is no different. After disappointment for the Team GB in the road race, Wiggins made sure there was some gold for our road cyclists in the time trials.
The bloke-next-door from London delivered a time of 50 minutes and 39 seconds – a convincing 42 seconds faster than silver medallist Tony Martin, from Germany.
(Images: Richard Parmiter, Sarah Kirby, ianpatterson99, Erik van Leeuwen, Mostly Dans)
