1 / 26 photos Olympic 2012 Highlights

The 2012 Olympics started off with a bang. Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle was the creative genius behind the "Isle of Wonder" - a four-hour tribute to the social and cultural history of Great Britiain. The grand spectacle was the most-watched Opening Ceremony in Olympic history.

As Boyle took the audience through some of the most iconic eras in London's history, there were cameo appearances by several of Great Britain's greatest figures, including James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Queen Elizabeth II herself. The unlikely pair took off from Buckingham Palace and "parachuted" into the Olympic Stadium.

Another Olympic Opening Ceremony moment belonged to the independent athletes, who stole the show, dancing their way through the Parade of Nations.

On Day 4 of the 2012 Summer Games, the U.S. women's gymnastics team, dubbed the "Fab Five," took home the team gold, an exciting victory and the first time the U.S. had taken the title since 1996.

A breakout star of the women's gymnastics team, 16-year-old Gabby Douglas, took home not one but two gold medals, winning the competitive all-around title. The "Flying Squirrel" wowed audiences with her exceptional skill and award-winning smile.

Not only did Gabby Douglas win Olympic gold, but she also made history as the first African-American gymnast to become an individual all-around champion.

In the women's vault final, U.S. gymnast McKayla Maroney shocked audiences as she failed to land her usually perfect dismount. The petite gymnast had already turned heads with her flawless execution in the team finals. Despite the fall, she still edged out competitors, taking home the silver medal.

In what was arguably one of the biggest rivalries of the Olympic Games, swimming legend Michael Phelps evened the score with a gold medal win over Ryan Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley. Lochte beat out Phelps in their first face-off, the 400-meter individual medley, taking home the gold while Phelps finished fourth.

Lochte not only turned heads for his triumphant victory over Phelps, but also for his interesting display of U.S. pride, revealing a red, white and blue diamond-encrusted grill when he smiled.

U.S. diver Christina Loukas finished 8th in the women's 3-meter springboard event. The finish was disappointing for the diver, who had hoped to medal in what may be the last Olympics of her career.

Two other U.S. divers, Troy Dumais and Krisian Ipsen, earned the bronze medal in the men's synchronized 3-meter springboard event. The medal was a great turn of events for the U.S. Diving program, which had failed to medal since the 2000 Games in Sydney.

Another synchronized pair, Mary Killman and Mariya Koroleva of the U.S. finished 11th in the duet competition. The pair, who only joined forces 12 months ago, gave a strong performance, but it was Russia who ultimately took home the gold for the fourth consecutive Olympics.

In yet another record-breaking contest, the U.S. women's swim team won gold in the 4x100m medley. Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer and Allison Schmitt set the new world record with a time of 3:52.05. Australia claimed the silver nearly two full seconds behind, while Japan took home the bronze.

In what will certainly go down in history as one of the best gold medal celebrations of all time, Germany's Robert Harting ripped off his shirt Incredible Hulk-style after earning the Olympic title for men's discus. After his 68.72 meter gold medal throw, he ran around the track draped in the German flag, jumping his way through the women's 100m hurdles.

Ouch! After an unfortunate mishap during the Men's +105kg weightlifting final, Germany's Matthias Steiner dropped his barbell and fell to the floor. After doctors rushed to his aid, he rose to his feet, but was later sent to the hospital for x-rays.

In yet another unfortunate Olympic injury, Xiang Liu of China suffered a tough fall during the 100-meter hurdles. After the heart breaking mishap, Xiang rose to his uninjured leg and limped across the finish line. The injury, however, is something all too farmilar for the track star, as he withdrew from his preliminary heat in Beijing after hurting his right foot and hamstring.

An emotional Felix Sanchez won gold for the Dominican Republic in the 400-meter hurdles, the second win of his career. With the memory of his late grandmother in mind, who unfortunately passed right before his event four years ago in Beijing, he tearfully accepted his gold medal on the podium. Even his shoes are written with the word "abuela," Spanish for grandmother.

Sanchez won gold with a time of 47.63 seconds. U.S. runner Michael Tinsley followed in second with a time of 47.91 seconds, with Javier Culson of Puerto Rico trailing in third with 48.10 seconds.

In the men's 100m finals it was Jamaican legend Usain Bolt who claimed the gold medal. Staying true to his name, he bolted through the finish line with an astonishing time of 9.63 seconds. He took the 200m title as well, becoming the first sprinter to win the 100m and 200m races in consecutive Olympics.

Not far behind Bolt was fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake, who along with Warren Weir completed the "Jamaican Sweep" of the 200m race, earning silver and bronze respectively.

In the women's 800m race it was the last place finish that meant more than any medal. Nineteen-year-old Sarah Attar became the first female track and field athlete to represent Saudi Arabia at an Olympics. Attar, who finished at 2 minutes 44.95 seconds, more than 43 seconds behind the heat winner, received loud cheers throughout the Olympic stadium for her history-making race.

Another stellar female track and field athlete was Allyson Felix. After two previous silver medal finishes in the 200m event, she finally struck gold with a time of 21.88 seconds. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryse followed behind for the silver, while Carmelita Jeter took the bronze.

U.S. track and field athlete Jennifer Suhr took the title in the women's pole vault final. Suhr beat out Yarisley Silva of Cuba and Yelena IsinBayeva of Russia, clearing 4.75 meters at her second attempt.

At just 17 years old, Claressa Shields of the U.S. became the women's middleweight 75-kg boxing champion. An emotional Shields took to the podium to receive her gold medal after the impressive triumph. The 2012 Summer Games marked the Olympic debut of women's boxing.

In a beach volleyball face-off against fellow Americans Jennifer Kessy and April Ross, the unstoppable duo, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings, earned their third consecutive gold medal. May-Treanor plans to retire to focus on her family while Walsh-Jennings will continue to compete.

The sister duo, Serena and Venus Williams, made history earning their third gold medal in women's doubles tennis. The pair beat out Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic for the first place finish.