Stars of 2012 London Olympic

10:29 PM - 7 comments

Michael Phelps  United States
Michael Phelps retired from swimming with more medals than any other Olympian. Phelps is now holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals (18, double that of the next highest record holders), Olympic gold medals in individual events (11), and Olympic medals in individual events for a male (13).


Usain Bolt  Jamaica
Bolt declared himself "the greatest athlete" of all time after defending the three sprint golds he won in Beijing four years ago.  He is the first to achieve a "double double" by winning 100m and 200m titles at consecutive Olympics (2008 and 2012), and topped this through the first "double triple" (including 4x100m relays).


Missy Franklin United States
The 17-year-old American swimmer ensured her Olympic debut would be memorable as she won five medals - four gold and one bronze. (Gold - 100m backstroke, 4x200m freestlye relay, 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley relay. Silver - 4x100m freestyle relay.)

Shiwen Ye  China
The 16-year-old epitomised China's growing strength in swimming, stunned the swimming world by covering the penultimate, freestyle lap of the 400 metres individual medley faster than Michael Phelps in the men's final, and her last lap quicker than Ryan Lochte in winning the male equivalent.


Laura Trott  Britain
She is the Great Britain cycling team's second double gold medallist after Jason Kenny At her first Games, she claimed two golds, in team pursuit and the six-event omnium, and at 20 was the youngest female track rider to win gold at any Olympics.


David Rudisha  Kenya
The 800m final was the fastest of all time with seven of the eight athletes running personal bests - five of them under 1:43 seconds.


Kirani James  Grenada
James won his country's first ever Olympic gold


Anna Meares Australia
Anna Meares overcame arch-rival Victoria Pendleton to win the Olympic track cycling women's sprint title.


Charlotte Dujardin Britain
The British dressage rider won two gold medals


Mo Farah  Britain
On 4 August 2012, Farah won the 10,000 metre gold in a time of 27:30.42. This was Great Britain's first Olympic gold medal in the 10,000m.