Top 6 Moments In The 2012 Olympic Games

The 2012 Olympic Games have drawn to a close, with some stirling performances and emotional moments. Before post-Olympic depression hits in full swing (what did we used to do before Olympics?! Can you believe it’s another four years until we get to watch the greatest games on earth!?), we thought we’d take a nostalgic trip through the games, and asked our Facebook fans and Twitter followers: what was your number one highlight of the 2012 Olympic Games?

Here are your most popular moments:

Tsepo Ramonene (Lesotho) finishing last in the Men’s Marathon. Ramonene faced major adversity to get to the London Olympic Games (read the inspirational story, here). He had a difficult Olympic race, stopping several times en route and requiring medical attention. He was the last athlete to finish in 85th position, in 2:55:54.

You said: That is what being a sportsman is about – not for glory, not coming first, but the dedication in finishing what he started, for finishing despite all odds, because he represents a whole country, not just himself. I salute him for finishing – even though twenty others have DNF behind their name. The countries did not send their sportsman there to just give up. And he didn’t. – Caroline Lee 

Stephen Kiprotich winning the Uganda’s first Olympic gold since 1972… and stealing the limelight from the marathon favourites, Kenya. Kiprotich took gold in a time or 2:08:01, well clear of Kenyans Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich.

You said: “Uganda beating Kenya in the mens marathon! Just to shake things up a bit!” @Erin_van_E

The SA lightweight men’s coxless fours had an unbelievable burn (sprint finish) to just take first place by a bow ball: one of the most magnificent finishes the rowing community has ever scene. A class performance of BMT (big match temperament).

You said: The Australian, oops, South African coxless four rowing team. Medal hopefulls who were hungry enough to win gold on the day. @ilangatrails

The look on the 4 rowers when they realized they had won! Classic! - Mpho Mohau Magolego

A highly objective favourite moment, we were split between two magical performances:

A collection of Olympic favourite moments wouldn’t be complete without including the Jamaican sprinters. The men’s 4x100m final is a perfect summary of the brilliance of the island’s sprinters. Carter, Frater, Blake and Bolt broke the world record by a fifth of a second, with Bolt winning his third Olympic gold in 2012.

Caster Semenya cruised to a silver in the women’s 800m final, defeating the odds and making a nation proud.

You said: Must be Saturday, with Caster getting silver and the men’s 4*100 final. – @abrahamsbetty

The astounding run by David Rudisha in the 800m was a prime example of magical running, leaving viewers’ mouths gaping in disbelief. The 1.40.91 800m run will go down as the most magical track event at the 2012 Olympic Games.

You said: The 800m mens final! That Kenyan dude was fast! @thejhbroze

There can be no other: Chad le Clos beating his idol, Michael Phelps. Need we say more?

You said: Easy – @LeClos_Swim Chad Le Clos winning his gold medal. Screamed so much at the tv our cat ran out. #myolympichighlight @findiva

What was your favourite moment? Comment below and share in the nostalgia!