From spectacular sporting performances and landmark moments in Olympic history, to the party atmosphere throughout the host country and the dedication of the volunteers, the London 2012 Olympic Games have provided many magical moments.
On the track, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt successfully defended the three Olympic titles he won four years ago in Beijing, becoming the first man to ever win back-to-back gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.
American swimmer Michael Phelps also secured his place in Olympic folklore by becoming the most decorated Olympian in the history of the Games, winning four golds and two silvers in the Aquatics Centre to take his total medal tally to 22.
The host nation also had its own sporting heroes to celebrate, with track cyclist Chris Hoy winning two gold medals in the Velodrome – the fifth and sixth golds of his career – to become the most successful British Olympian ever, while the British team as a whole enjoyed its most successful Games for 104 years.
New stars were born as well, with Youth Olympic champion Chad le Clos, from South Africa, beating his idol Phelps in the 200m butterfly to signal a new era in Olympic swimming, and US gymnast Gabby Douglas winning both the individual and team titles.
Across London’s state-of-the-art venues, history was also made as women’s boxing made its Olympic debut and all 204 participating National Olympic Committees have now sent female athletes to the Games.
The Games began in spectacular fashion with an entertaining and eccentric Opening Ceremony that dazzled hundreds of millions of viewers around the world. That celebration of British culture set the tone for an incredible 16 days of Olympic action, with passionate fans filling venues and creating a party atmosphere across the host country.
The rapturous reception that athletes enjoyed in every arena ensured that London 2012 would be a Games they could never forget, while their superb sporting performances meant that the rest of the world would also have a lifetime of memories to savour.