The 2012 London Summer Olympics drew to an awe-inspiring end and we couldn’t help but look back at the top ten moments that best exemplify the magnificent spectacle put on, just for us!
1. People Power
The opening ceremony was one of the most refreshing and creative Olympic openings in history. Artful video screenings complimented the show which retained its focus on the significance of individuals. The most heartening moment was when the construction workers lined up the entrance of the stadium to be a part of this spectacle. Queen Elizabeth II (yes, the real Queen!) in a cameo greeted Daniel Craig with a sporting “Good evening, Mr. Bond” before he parachuted into the stadium, David Beckham winking, Mr. Bean being himself and the Sex Pistols tearing the sky apart amidst breathtaking copper flame petals and “Hey Jude!”.
Of course, some inevitable flaws did creep in. The Japanese delegation was led out of the stadium after the inauguration march and missed the second half of the ceremony. And we have the mysterious woman in red shirt (who later issued an apology) marching proudly along with the Indian delegation.
All in all, it was a really good show.
2. Singapore’s 52 year wait
On the first day of August, Feng Tianwei defeated her Japanese opponent, Kasumi Ishikawa to claim the Bronze medal in Table-tennis Women’s Single. It was only Singapore’s second individual medal after 1960, and Singapore’s third Olympic medal.
3. Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani
Meet the first woman to participate in the Olympics from Saudi Arabia. Although Shaherkani was defeated in the first round of 78 kg Judo on 3rd August, her courage and legacy will touch and inspire many people in the years to come.
4. Dream Team’s rout
On 3rd August, in one of the Men’s Basketball Group A match, USA destroyed Nigeria with a score of 156-73 by a whopping margin of 83 points. It was the highest scoring basketball game in Olympic history. What a game!
5. Blade Runner
On 4th August, Oscar Pistorius from South Africa ran in the 400m prelims and finished in second place, advancing to the semi-finals. Pistorius lost both his legs as an infant but never gave up on his dream and continued training special artificial limbs, thus earning him the nickname “Blade Runner”.
6. Michael Phelps – the All Time Great
On 5th August, the 27-year-old Michael Phelps, having announced he would retire after this Olympics, climbed out of the Olympic swimming pool for the last time having won the 4 x 400m medley relay, his 22nd Olympic medal and his 18th Gold medal. He later received the trophy for being the “Greatest Olympic Athlete of All Time” on that same day, for being the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time.
7. Liu Xiang’s Fall
On 8th August, Chinese superstar Liu Xiang fell to the ground during the 110m hurdle preliminary round. It was the second time Liu failed to complete his Olympics race after he won the Gold medal in Athens 2004.
8. The Bolt Supremacy
On the last day of the London Olympics, Usain Bolt ran the final leg of the 4 x 100 m relay. When he received the baton, he was shoulder-to-shoulder with Ryan Bailey of the USA, but that was as close as Bailey could ever get. Bolt tore through the final leg as the Jamaican team set a new world record and became the first team to break the 37 seconds barrier. Bolt also became the first athlete to win back-to-back 100m and 200m Gold medals in Olympic history. Lightning Bolt indeed!
9. Soccer’s Refreshing Change
No one had predicted this one. Oribe Peralta from Mexico scored after merely 28 seconds during the Olympic men’s football final. The stunned Brazilians tried their hardest to recover with an all-out attacking game plan, but would be resigned to wait another four years for their first Olympic soccer Gold medal, when Mexico scored in the 74th minute and held on for a 2-1 victory.
10. Not a Whisper but a Bang
Many of us choose to leave out the Olympics closing ceremonies, but if you did that this year, then you have really missed something great. Like the opening ceremony, it was the one of the most delightful and exuberant ceremonies in history. It was an exciting concert full of fun and surprises, with dazzling visual effects. Good music and dance, super models, superstars and great fun made for a rocking finish to the 2012 London Olympics!