London Olympics 2012: The ecstasy

1. My beautiful boy

The surprise victory of South African swimmer Chad Le Clos, who beat Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly, was celebrated by no one more than his father, Bert, who found his emotions tumbling out in an interview with the BBC's Clare Balding that was full of exclamation marks. "Unbelievable! Indescribable! He's the most beautiful boy you'll ever meet in your life!"

2. Thrown in the water

After months of hype and hope, Britain's diving poster boy, 18-year-old Tom Daley, shows his delight at being thrown into the pool in celebration by his team-mates after winning bronze in the 10m platform on Saturday. "It was an awesome moment," he said.

3. Last but still triumphant

Sarah Attar was more than half a minute slower than the rest of the field in her 800m heat but her performance, clothed from head to toe, was a triumph. The student was the first woman to represent Saudi Arabia in track and field at the Olympics.

4. Draped in the flag

The decision by Scot Andy Murray to wrap himself in a Union Flag after beating Roger Federer to tennis gold at Wimbledon, excited much comment, not least from believers in maintaining the Union, who suggested the sight might be making Alex Salmond weep into his whisky.

5. Incredulity

Katherine Copeland can clearly be seen mouthing the words "We've won the Olympics!" to her rowing partner Sophie Hosking after the pair triumphed in the lightweight double sculls. Her next comment was even better: "We're going to be on a stamp!"

6. In memory

After securing silver in the under-78kg judo – Britain's first Olympic judo medal for 12 years – Gemma Gibbons looked upwards and mouthed the words "I love you, mum." Her mother died from leukaemia when Gemma was 17.

7. Going wild

German discus gold medallist Robert Harting, a 6ft 7in man-mountain, tore off his shirt when he won, grabbed a German flag and began running over the hurdles, to the delight of the crowd. Later he got plastered and lost his Olympic accreditation.

8. Making a splash

Canoeist Etienne Stott leaps back into the water after taking gold with Tim Baillie in the slalom at the Lee Valley course for a wet celebration with fellow Britons David Florence and Richard Hounslow, who won silver.

9. Real gold

Nicola Adams, the girl from the "school of hard knocks" in Leeds with the brightest of smiles, salutes a delirious crowd after becoming the first female Olympic boxing champion.

10. Record smiles

Seventeen-year-old American swimmer Missy Franklin, who picked up a third gold medal as she smashed the world record for the 200m backstroke, shows she possesses not only Olympic talent, but perfect gnashers.

11. Clock-watching

Kenya's David Rudisha broke his 800m world record by a tenth of a second, clocking 1:40.90.