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Olympics 2012: Moments that made history Michael Phelps, Gabrielle Douglas, Usain Bolt, a path-breaking Saudi judo athlete — their stories become those of the London Games.
Closing Ceremonies
Performers pose and photograph each other as the Olympics come to a close in London.
Matt Dunham
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AP
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Another 3-peat
A younger and exuberant U.S. soccer team followed the 2004 and 2008 champions by taking gold on Aug. 9 in London.
Toni L. Sandys
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The Washington Post
A boxing pioneer...
She didn't know her father until she was 9. She saw "all these crackheads" when she ran the streets of Flint, Mich., and ''I didn't want to be like them.'' On Aug. 9, Claressa Shields became the only American — and the first U.S. woman — to win the gold medal in boxing.
Toni L. Sandys
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The Washington Post
...and another
Katie Taylor started shadowboxing with her dad at 10, when it wasn't even sanctioned in Ireland. Now 26, the lightweight (only her fight classification) won the gold in women's boxing, a series of events that began at this Olympics. Her final, with a heavy Irish crowd behind her, was viewed as the loudest in the Games so far.
Murad Sezer
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Reuters
A leap for the ages
In an image that was hailed as one of the best sports photographs of the year, U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas is captured while performing on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's individual all-around competition. She won one of her two golds in this event on Aug. 2, becoming the first ever African American to win an all-around title. "OMG I'm so THRILLED for Gabby,'' Oprah Winfrey tweeted. "Flowing happy tears!''
Gregory Bull
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AP
Friendship beyond borders
Missy Franklin, right, hugs Jing Zhao after winning the women's 100-meter backstroke for a gold medal during the swimming competition on July 30. Franklin, 17, also took gold in the 200-meter backstroke, in which she shattered a world record.
Toni L. Sandys
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The Washington Post
Big win, big cheers from Bethesda
Katie Ledecky, just 15, took gold in the 800-meter freestyle on Aug. 3, breaking the U.S. record set by distance legend Janet Evans. At Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, hundreds of classmates and friends tensely watched her triumph on TV. "I think I just had a heart attack," said Catherine Karrels, the head of school. "Now we have to plan a party."
Al Bello
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Getty Images
Her long journey to gold
Victimized as a child by her former coach, Kayla Harrison kept moving, waking herself up at 4:30 a.m. to lift weights. Harrison, 22, became America's first gold medalist in judo, saying afterward: "This just proves you're only a victim if you allow yourself to be. ... You know, I'm at peace. I'm an Olympic champion.''
Toni L. Sandys
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The Washington Post
Setting history
In his last individual race, U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps gained his record 17th gold and 21st overall medal by winning the men's 100-meter butterfly on Aug. 2. No one had taken three straight Olympic golds in an individual event before Phelps did it twice — in the 100-meter butterfly and in the 200-meter individual medley.
Christophe Simom
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AFP/Getty Images
First spectator?
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, may have gotten the most media attention of any regular spectator at the events. The duchess, center, watches the artistic gymnastics apparatus finals on Aug. 5.
Julie Jacobson
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AP
A pioneering entrance
Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani, among the first women Saudi Arabia has ever sent to the Games, only lasted 82 seconds in her judo event but gained respect worldwide. At left, she marched in the Opening Ceremonies on July 27.
Suzanne Plunkett
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Reuters
Breaking another barrier
South Africa's Oscar Pistorius became the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics when he finished second in his heat of the men's 400-meter race to qualify for the semifinals. His determination inspired many at the Games and beyond.
Toni L. Sandys
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The Washington Post
The fastest. Again.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt became the first man to retain both Olympic sprint titles as he won in the 100 meters (left, on Aug. 5) and led a Jamaican sweep in the 200 meters four days later. That victory gave him five golds before a final relay race, making him the most decorated Jamaican Olympian.
David J. Phillip
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AP
For his nation, a first
Kirani James reacts to his win in the men's 400-meter final on Aug. 6. The victory gave the Caribbean nation of Grenada its first Olympic medal, a gold. "It can happen from anywhere,'' James said of an Olympic victory. Two days earlier, Erick Barrondo took a silver in race walking for Guatemala's first-ever medal. On Aug. 7, Guatemala's legislature made Barrondo a knight.
Anja Niedringhaus
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AP
Life's not a sprint
Josefa Idem, 47, of Italy, became the first woman to compete in eight Olympics in these Games. At left, Idem finishes the 500-meter kayak singles final on Aug. 9 near Windsor, England.
Natacha Pisarenko
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AP
FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES
Photos of the day
Buddhist Wesak festival, prisoners-of-war reunion, bridge collapse, world’s largest Lego model and more.
Flexing their muscles
Dozens of bodybuilders came out to Silver Spring to compete in the 2013 Musclemania Capital Tournament of Champions.
Animal views
Fun and fascinating creatures around the world.
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