Magic Moments

Oh yes, time for the traditional magic moments! So many to choose from - where to start? Prepare for minor changes in local atmospheric conditions. In no particular order:

Nicole Cooke - what conditions, what a victory, what a celebration - she'd dropped off the back of the 3 leaders coming around the final bend, and a nation started bricking it. But there was no cause for alarm, as she'd practiced the finish, knew what she was doing, and only blinking won it. She was so pleased - poor old Emma Pooley looked a bit startled as she was hugged that tightly to Nicole's wet chest.

the Amazing comeback in the first round of the badminton from 12-17 down, followed by the tears of Gail Emms when they lost the next game, and she retired.

Togo's unlikely Bronze in the Canoeing, and the oar-snapping celebrations!

The appearance from nowhere of Rebecca Adlington. Very much a case of 'who-she' a mere fortnight ago, now installed as favourite for SPOTY - ahead of Lewis Hamilton & His Royal Hoyness, the Hoyminator, Chris Hoy, the Real McHoy

Michael Phelps - 8 events, 8 golds, 7 WRs. Greatest Swimming Olympian ever. Came really close a couple of times too - notably in the 4x100 relay which the Frogs should have won, but the veteran Jason Lezak swam Alain Bernard down on the final length and pipped him. Unbelievable scenes. Winning by a fraction of a fingertip in the butterfly as well - he sure had his luck!

Usain Bolt. 3 golds, 3 world records. Jogging in the case of the 100m - and beating his chest as he crossed the line, running flat out in the 200m, cruise control in the Relay. Jacques Rogge is so wrong - we LOVED his celebrations.

The reaction of the summarisers to each of these, which the beeb filmed and showed later. Michael Johnson as good as ever, and very magnaminous in losing his 200m WR, having predicted it wouldn't go.

The somewhat emotional reaction of Bryony Shaw to winning bronze in the windsurfing - like Gwyneth Paltrow with genuine emotion, as Adrian Chiles dubbed it afterwards,

Trying to get anything out of Adrian Chiles while he was watching his Croatian mate in the table tennis - Hazel tried to go over to him, he kept waving her away - eventually they left him to it. Professionalism be damned, I'm watching the game.

The Velodrome!! Oh Yes! 10 golds available, 7 won. 3 by the Hoyminator - my man of the games.

Hazel Irvine's terrible, terrible puns - so bad they were ALMOST good. ALMOST.

Eddie Butler's melifluous tones popping up most unexpectedly at the Archery, and on the highlights reel

The very easy on the eye blonde sailors - still world beaters though! All the sailors, especially the salty language on breakfast TV, and madman Rob Walker perched on his dinghy, telling his cameraman what to do, a la Keith Floyd, brimming with and transmitting his enthusiasm for the sport.

Matt Pinsent being sent to the Beach Volleyball against his will, and sardonically going with it - dancing away in the stands. Very funny.

The elder statesman of British Rowing congratulating the winners and consoling the losers. Even had other nations giving him due respect - what an impact Sir Steve has had on his sport.

The medal table controversies - the US media decided to change the way the table is calculated by going on total number, rather than total golds like the rest of us. Coincidentally, this also leaves them top. As would a medal table where medals involving judges are discounted:

1 USA 33 Gold 31 Silver 28 Bronze
2 CHINA 26 Gold 15 Silver 16 Bronze
3 GBR 18 Gold 13 Silver 11 Bronze
4 GERMANY 15 Gold 7 Silver 13 Bronze
5 AUSTRALIA 13 Gold 14 Silver 17 Bronze
6 Russia are relegated to 6th with 11 golds.

One of many great articles about His Royal Hoyness

100 things we learned from the Guardian.

Very funny viral from French comedian doing an Urban Decathlon and Urban Gymnastics.

Guardian writers and their highlights of the games

Boris's speech at the after party...ping pong is coming home

Comedy showjumping at the Modern Pentathlon

Mathias Steiner