Relive the best moments of London Olympics 2012

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Relive the best moments of London 2012

18/12/2012

With 2012 drawing to a close, Olympic.org decided to look back on a truly memorable year by asking Olympic fans on Facebook what their favourite moments were from the London 2012 Olympic Games.

After receiving more than 40,000 votes, the poll has revealed the 10 most popular sporting moments from the Games, including the record-breaking performances of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps.

Here is the top 10 in full, but if your favourite moment isn’t among them, you can still relive all the highlights from the Games in our London 2012 video gallery.

1.    Usain Bolt wins the 100m

Following his record-breaking exploits at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Usain Bolt was under pressure to deliver on the track again in London – and the Jamaican spring sprint king did not disappoint as he cruised to an Olympic record of 9.63 seconds in the 100m in front of a raucous Olympic Stadium, before successfully defending his 200m title as well.

 

2.     Michael Phelps becomes the most decorated Olympian ever

American swimmer Michael Phelps secured his place in Olympic folklore as he won six medals in London – including four golds – to take his total Olympic medal tally to 22, making him the most decorated Olympian of all time.

3.     Mo Farah wins his second gold of the Games

Roared on by an enthusiastic home crowd in the Olympic Stadium, British long distance runner Mo Farah followed up his victory in the 10,000m with another Olympic title in the 5,000m.

4.     Katie Taylor wins lightweight boxing gold

With women’s boxing making its Olympic debut in London, all eyes were on four-time world champion Katie Taylor, of Ireland, to see if she could add Olympic gold to her growing list of achievements. Backed by thousands of Irish fans – whose cheers in the ExCeL Arena reached an incredible 113.7 decibels – Taylor defeated Russia's Sofya Ochigava in the final bout to become the first ever women’s Olympic lightweight champion. 

5.     Tom Daley claims diving bronze

British diver Tom Daley was undoubtedly one of the social media stars of the Games, becoming the fifth most talked about athlete on Facebook and gaining more than 800,000 new followers on Twitter. But it was Daley’s performances in the Aquatics Centre that really caught the eye, as the 18-year-old claimed bronze in the 10m platform.

6.     USA women’s gymnastics squad secures team gold

After winning silver in Beijing in 2008, the USA women's gymnastics squad were crowned champions in the team event for the first time since 1996 after a superb performance at the North Greenwich Arena, with McKayla Maroney getting the Americans off to the perfect start with a vault that scored 16.233.

7.     Jessica Ennis storms to Olympic heptathlon title

Heptathlete Jessica Ennis was carrying the hopes of the entire host nation as she began her quest for an Olympic gold medal. After personal bests in the 100m hurdles, 200m and javelin, the 26-year-old secured the Olympic title with victory in the 800m, with a packed Olympic Stadium cheering her home.

8.     Usain Bolt anchors Jamaican men’s 4x100m team to new world record

Having already won the 100m and 200m, Usain Bolt joined up with Jamaican team-mates Nester Carter, Michael Frater and Yohan Blake to complete a hat-trick of Olympic titles for the second successive Games, as he brought the baton home in the 4x100m in a new world record time of 36.84 seconds.

9.    NBA stars lead USA men to basketball gold

Thirty points from Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant helped the USA overcome a spirited Spanish team to win their fifth Olympic basketball title in the last six editions of the Games, with their 107-100 victory proving to be the closest final since the Soviet Union beat the USA 51-50 in 1972.

10.  Beach volleyball lights up Horse Guards Parade

Few venues in London caught the imagination quite like the historic Horse Guards Parade, which was transformed into a high-energy beach volleyball arena for the Games. With live performances by pop stars such as Mika and Rizzle Kicks, not to mention the world-class sporting action, seats at the iconic venue really were the hottest tickets in town.

Supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio sprays sun lotion on her derriére during a game of volleyball

Protecting her assets! Supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio sprays sun lotion on her derriére during a game of volleyball

By FEHINTOLA BETIKU

PUBLISHED: 14:32, 15 October 2012 | UPDATED: 14:51, 15 October 2012

She is one of the world's most sort after models and she does everything in her power to keep her figure in immaculate shape.

And as she enjoyed a day on the beach, Alessandra Ambrosio made sure to protect her assets.

The 31-year-old was pictured on Sunday in Malibu spraying sun lotion on her bottom as she took part in a game of volleyball.

Protecting her assets: Alessandra Ambrosio was pictured on Sunday at a beach in Malibu spraying sun lotion on her bottom as she enjoyed a game of volleyball

Can't forget her legs! Alessandra worked her way from her derriére to her toned pins

Paying close attention, Alessandra looked back at to her derriére as she applied the sunscreen. 

The mother-of-two then worked her way down to her toned legs as she soaked up the sunny California weather.

Stunning in a white triangle two-piece, the Brazilian beauty showed off her incredible post-pregnancy body, having given birth to her second child just five months ago.

Ready for some action: Wearing a white bikini, the 31-year-old hid her eyes behind a pair of glasses and opted  to tie her hair up in a bun whilst sporting a red baseball cap

Aiming high: The mother-of-two watched the ball rocket off as she gave it a hard hit

In immaculate shape: Alessandra gave birth to her second child just five months ago

Good form: Ambrosio and her team mate both squatted as the ball came towards them

A day away from the runway: The model, who is engaged to Jamie Azur, looked to be in good spirits

Getting into the game, she was seen jumping up in the air to get enough touches of the ball.

Taking the match very serious, she kept her hair back in one as she covered up her lock underneath a red baseball cap.

Enjoying her day off the runway, the Victoria's Secrets cover girl uploaded a picture to her Twitter account via Instagram of the beach.

The caption which accompanied the image was made up of several hashtags, she wrote: '#beach #weekend #summer #funnn #goodvibs #goodtimes #goodnight #sweetdreams #instalife #instamood'.

Keeping active: Alessandra enjoyed a little jog as she headed towards the net

Giving it her all: The Victoria's Secret model was seen getting into the game

Letting off some steam: Ambrosio appeared to give off a roar as she paced up and down the sandy beach

Beach babe: The Brazilian beauty showed off her toned and taunt stomach as she took a break

Changing the rules of the game: The model proceeded to keep the ball as the game ended

On Saturday Ambrosio bumped into actress Jessica Alba during a trip to Mr Bones Pumpkin Patch in Beverly Hills.

After warmly greeting one another, with Alessandra's fiancé Jamie Azur planting a kiss on Alba, the ladies began chatting away.

Hunting for the best  with her daughter Anja, four and son Noah, five months, the model wore a colourful shirt with a pair of denim shorts and sandals.

Fancy seeing you here! Jessica Alba greets Alessandra Ambrosio as they bump into one another at Mr Bones Pumpkin Patch in Beverly Hills on Saturday

On the pumpkin hunt: Alessandra was dressed in shorts and colourful top to take her kids out

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2217998/Alessandra-Ambrosio-protects-derri-volleyball.html#ixzz29NnvgkNj
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'Beach volleyball is a proper sport, it's not just about hot girls in bikinis!' Zoe Hardman defends the girls in knickers 

By LUCY WATERLOW

PUBLISHED: 14:35, 20 September 2012 | UPDATED: 15:38, 20 September 2012

TV presenter Zoe Hardman hopes more people will take up beach volleyball following the popularity of the sport during the London 2012 Olympics.

Zoe fronted the BBC's coverage of the event from Horse Guards Parade over the summer and was delighted to see how many spectators - including Prince Harry - enjoyed the competitive action. 

She hopes the public's perspection of beach volleyball has now changed and that more families will start playing the game as part of the London 2012 legacy.

Fun and competitive sport: TV presenter Zoe Hardman has played volleyball since the age of six and hopes more people will take it up following the London 2012 Olympics

Zoe, who has played volleyball herself since the age of six, told the MailOnline: 'Before the Olympics, people thought beach volleyball was all about hot girls in bikinis but when they actually watched it they saw how physical and competitive it is. 

'It's a proper sport, it's not just mucking about hitting a ball over a net, I really hope this helps more people get into playing volleyball.'

To this end, Zoe has joined forces with the charity Action For Kids to support their endeavours to get more children involved in sport. The national charity helps children with physical and learning disabilities and their families through the provision of mobility equipment, training and support.

Getting active: Zoe is supporting the charity Action For Kids who are holding a beach volleyball tournament in London that will include children with learning and physical disabilities

On Friday, they will stage their annual City Beach Volleyball Championships in Broadgate, in the City of London. The tournament is open to all with the aim of raising much needed funds for the charity through sponsorship, while also getting people to have fun playing sport. There will also be a sitting volleyball tournament for those with a physical disability.

Zoe has been to visit some of the teams taking part in the tournament in training and said it was fantastic to see children of all ages and abilities giving the sport a go and enjoying it.

She said: 'They are all having such fun. I am a firm believer that if you get kids playing sport, it changes things in their lives. Sport keeps children busy, it keeps them fit and healthy. Healthy body equals healthy mind and it will also help with their diet. I think it's really important to get kids up and about exercising.'

Olympic fever: Sell-out crowds enjoyed the beach volleyball action at Horse Guards Parade over the summer

Zoe, 29, is delighted the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics has given children new role models to look up to and she hopes the summer buzz around sport can last and encourage more people to get active.  

As well as playing volleyball, Zoe also keeps fit by doing Zumba classes and gym workouts. She has also been training for the Virgin Active London Triathlon, which takes place on Saturday. 

She will team up with Lydia Bright from TOWIE and Amy Guy, aka 'Siren' from Gladiators, in a relay team where she will take on the 5k run while Amy will swim and Lydia will do the cycling leg. 

CASE STUDY: 'Action For Kids has become my family'

Worthwhile: Jolene is supported by Action For Kids

Jolene is in her late 20s and lives in London. She has mild learning difficulties.

She said: 'I don’t think I would be where I am today without the help and support I got from Action for Kids. 

'I have been supported by the charity since the age of 15 and they feel like my family. Since leaving school, I have volunteered at Oxfam, Middlesex Hospital and St John's Ambulance. 

'This has been an amazing experience as I have been to the theatre, live concerts, big public events and I go away on lovely residential holidays with them every year. 

'I also have been involved a local drama group for the past seven years which is inclusive and accessible to people with learning difficulties. The drama group has helped me to increase my confidence and the ability to communicate more with people. 

'I think all of this would not have been possible without the help I get from Action for Kids They helped me to move from my family home into supported living accommodation and achieve all my successes in drama and volunteering. In many ways Action for Kids has become my family and way of life.'

For more information on Action For Kids’ fourth annual City Beach Volleyball Championships visit www.actionforkids.org

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2205726/Zoe-Hardman-says-Beach-volleyball-proper-sport-just-hot-girls-bikinis.html#ixzz272OCT7Xh
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24 hours after she landed her second gold, cycling Cinderella Laura is Harry's Olympic date

Hot to Trott! 24 hours after she landed her second gold, cycling Cinderella Laura is Harry's Olympic date

By IAN GARLAND

PUBLISHED: 21:07, 8 August 2012 | UPDATED: 23:57, 8 August 2012

Forget the two gold medals, tonight Laura Trott picked up the real prize for her Olympic achievement  - a date with a prince.

Twenty four hours after she won the women's omnium - her second triumph of London 2012 - the 20-year-old was invited to join Prince Harry at the final of the women's beach volleyball competition.

And the pair got on like a house on fire, laughing and joking together as they watched the final medal matches in Horse Guards Parade.

Princess Laura? The 20-year-old double gold medal winner shares a joke with the giggling prince

Starstruck: Trott gazes at the Prince, her date for the night

In a matter of days, Trott, from Cheshunt, Herts, has been catapulted from a relative unknown to one of Britain's most famous Olympians.

But she looked at ease with the trappings of her newfound fame, grinning and swigging beer as she exchanged jokes with Harry.

Reaching the parts... The 20-year-old clutches onto a beer bottle as she leans in to chat with the prince

Dutch courage: She takes a quick swig of lager, while Harry tries to follow the action on court

The cyclist even managed to distract the single prince from the bikini-clad beauties battling it out on the court.

Nothing stands in the way of a romance, if Harry takes a shine to the cycling prodigy.

Trott is single herself, after splitting with fellow cyclist Sam Harrison before the Olympics.

She looks smitten... and Laura is single, having split from fellow Team GB cyclist Sam Harrison before the Olympics

Gooseberry: Laura's teammate, fellow double gold medallist Jason Kenny, has to battle for the prince's attention

Just here for the bikinis: David Beckham watches the all-American final with his sons (left to right) Brooklyn, Cruz and Romeo

Sporting pals: Beckham poses for a photo with Trott and Kenny

On the court, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh of the United States won gold in the all-American final.

The duo claimed their third consecutive Olympic title after they defeated number six seeds Jennifer Kessy and April Ross in straight sets.

USA v USA: Kerri Walsh Jennings (top) dives for the ball during the Women's Beach Volleyball Gold medal match

Champions: Kerri Walsh (left) and Misty May-Treanor (right) celebrate after winning the women's final, their third consecutive Olympic gold

In the earlier bronze medal match, Brazil's Juliana Felisberta and Larissa Franca staged a dazzling comeback to beat China's Xue Chen and Zhang Xi after being within two points of losing.

Juliana and Larissa, the reigning world champions, arrived in London as the favourites but their dreams of gold unravelled when they were upset in the semi-finals by Americans Jennifer Kessy and April Ross on Tuesday.

China's Zhang Xi misses a point in the bronze medal match against Brazil

Brazilian pair Larissa Franca and Juliana Silva won bronze with a 11-21 21-19 15-12 victory over Chen Xue and Xi Zhang of China

The royal luck ran out for the Duchess of Cambridge tonight. Kate was in the Olympic park watching GB's women's hockey team lose to Argentina in the semi-finals

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2185613/Olympics-2012-Laura-Trott-Prince-Harrys-beach-volleyball-date.html#ixzz22zzHn5sS

Stunning beach volleyball game as the women's teams electrify Horse Guards Parade

The pictures which show you don't need to fly to exotic climes to watch a stunning volleyball game as the women's teams electrify Horse Guards Parade

By HELEN COLLIS

PUBLISHED: 21:50, 3 August 2012 | UPDATED: 22:04, 3 August 2012

These stunning aerial pictures show how the London 2012 beach volleyball stadium has been remarkably squeezed into the heart of the city.

Thousands of cheering spectators can be heard from surrounding Whitehall and nearby Trafalgar Square, just out of view in this picture.

But for those lucky enough to secure tickets for the popular event, the scenes inside are far more reminiscent of those seen on the beaches of Brazil or California.

Remarkable: Aerial scenes of the Olympic beach volleyball stadium squeezed into the heart of London, on the Horse Guards' Parade, surrounded by government Whitehall buildings and just a stone's throw from the Houses of Parliament and iconic Big Ben

Beach volleyball has proven to be one of the most popular events at the Games

Inside the stadium, the sun, sand and bikinis, plus beach balls and the smell of sun-tan lotion transport the lucky crowds to somewhere far more exotic.

Forgetting they are plunged in the centre of the thronging, bustling, noisy capital, the crowds have been entertained with exotic dancers in bikinis.

And the atmosphere during matches has been electrifying, with closely matched battles seeing spectators jumping up from their seats cheering.

It's no wonder the sport has proven so popular. 

 Dancers perform on day seven of the London 2012 beach volleyball Olympic Games

Cheerleaders perform during the women beach volleyball round of 16 match between Germany's Laura Ludwig and Sara Goller against compatriots Katrin Holtwick and Ilka Semmler

Dancers jumped into the crowds which certainly went down well for some

Write caption here

The sandy, and at times, sunny, scenes today were more reminiscent of a beach in Brazil as opposed to London's city

Great Britain's Zara Dampney, right, hugs team mate Shauna Mullin during their Women's Beach Volleyball Pool F match against Canada on Sunday

Great Britain's Shauna Mullin, left, and Zara Dampney embrace after they beat Canada during a beach volleyball match on Sunday

But the pair failed to reach the last 16 after losing to Austria in the lucky loser match

Zhang of China served under almost a cloudless sky during her preliminary match with Chen Xue of China against Simone Kuhn and Nadine Zumkehr of Switzerland on Monday

Brazil's Talita Rocha gestures to teammate Maria Antonelli before serving to Austria's Becchara Palmer and Louise Bawden during their match on Thursday

Brazil's Talita Rocha, right, and Maria Antonelli celebrate beating Austria on Thursday

Anna Vozakova, right, and Anastasia Vasina, of Russia celebrate after beating Switzerland

Sara Goller of Germany blocks Katrin Holtwick of Germany during the women's beach volleyball today

Argentina's Ana Gallay, right, and Maria Virginia Zonta both go for the ball during a match against the US team on the second day of the Games

On the left, Brazil's Maria Antonelli, right, and Talita Rocha hug after making a shot during a beach volleyball match against Australia's Becchara Palmer and Louise Bawden on Thursday, while right, Liliana Fernandez of Spain signals her partner

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2183359/Olympics-2012-womens-beach-volleyball-teams-electrify-Horse-Guards-Parade.html#ixzz22czLycaC