ALL eyes were on Rio as an action-packed Games drew to a close today.
There have been tears, joy and laughter in equal measure during an Olympics that will be remembered for the scandal as much as the excellence.
It brought us a fake robbery, dancing weightlifters and a vaulter betrayed by his own pole.
One thing’s for sure, it was memorable.
So from touching sportsmanship to the cheekiest — and most talented — sprinter on earth, here are some of our most iconic images from Rio 2016.
Gravity-defying US gymnast Simone Biles was the breakout star of these Olympic Games. Picture: Clive BrunskillSource:Getty Images
Usain Bolt cemented his place in history by signing off with a triple-triple. Aussie photographer Cameron Spencer captured the legendary sprinter’s personality as he gave Andre De Grasse a cheeky grin as he held off his competitor in the 200-metre semi-final. Picture: Cameron SpencerSource:Getty Images
New Zealander Nikki Hamblin and American Abbey D’Agostino were awarded a special Olympic medal for the incredible sportsmanship they showed after the Kiwi tripped and knocked her US rival over, helping each other to the finish line. They embraced afterwards, when D’Agostino discovered she had torn her anterior cruciate ligament. Picture: Ian WaltonSource:Getty Images
Perhaps the funniest moment of the Olympic Games came when Japanese pole vaulter Hiroki Ogita was betrayed by “the one thing no man wants to let him down”, hitting the bar with his, ahem, pole. Initially upset at the humour over the balls up that lost him his place in the final, he eventually admitted it was “pretty funny”.Source:YouTube
Kyle Chalmers gets a hug from Cameron McEvoy after winning the 100m freestyle final and giving Australia one of its most emotional victories. Picture: Morry GashSource:AP
It was the image that told a story of sport spanning vast cultural difference. Bikini-clad Canadian Kristina Valjas, right, spikes over a very differently attired Egypt's Doaa Elghobashy in the women's beach volleyball. Picture: Marcio Jose SanchezSource:AP
Australia’s Ellia Green lifts up a teammate as they celebrated a massive victory in the women’s rugby sevens gold medal match between New Zealand and Australia. Picture: Philippe LopezSource:Getty Images
Anna Hahner and her twin sister Lisa stirred up controversy in their home country of Germany when they joined hands to finish the marathon together in 81st and 82nd place. The Germans didn’t find it a heartwarming moment, questioning whether the siblings had tried hard enough. Picture: Alexander HassensteinSource:Getty Images
Mack Horton won Australia’s first gold medal in the 400m freestyle, but caused some drama first by calling Chinese competitor Sun Yang a “drug cheat”. Picture: Cameron TandySource:News Corp Australia
It was a tender scene and a landmark for marriage equality when Brazilian rugby player Isadora Cerullo kissed volunteer Marjorie Enya after they got engaged after the final between Australia and New Zealand. Picture: Alexander HassensteinSource:Getty Images
David Katoatau, of Kiribati, became a viral star for his exuberant dancing. He’s pictured here still boogieing after his final unsuccessful lift in the men’s 105kg weightlifting event. Picture: Mike GrollSource:AP
Chloe Esposito bursts with pride as she scores Austraalia’s first modern pentathlon gold medal. Picture: Yasuyoshi ChibaSource:AFP
The remarkable Michael Phelps in the 100m butterfly semi-final. The American leaves swimming with five more Olympic golds, bringing his tally to 23 and is the most decorated Olympian of all time, with 28 medals. Picture: Christophe SimonSource:Getty Images
Now that’s dedication. The Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller dives to cross the finish line ahead of USA’s Chase Kalisz during the 400m final. Picture: Antonin ThuillierSource:AFP
Silver medallist pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie was reduced to tears after loud booing from the home crowd supporting his Brazilian opponent marred the Frenchman’s Olympic appearance. Picture: Fabrice CoffriniSource:AFP
Bridging the divide, South Korean gymnast Lee Eun-ju, right, and her North Korean counterpart Hong Un Jong pose together during the artistic gymnastics women's qualification. Picture: Kim Do-hoon/YonhapSource:AP
Singaporean swimmer Joseph Schooling shows off his Olympics tattoo as he looks to turn professional after bringing home the city-state’s first ever Olympic gold medal with a stunning victory over Michael Phelps. Picture: Roslan RSource:AFP
Michael Phelps and Caeleb Dressel celebrate as the USA team win the Gold Medal in the 4 x 100m relay final. Picture: Phil HillyardSource:News Corp Australia
France’s Yohann Diniz went viral for his extraordinary resilience during the 50km race walk, which he finished in eighth despite collapsing twice because of gastrointestinal issues that left him bleeding from the 12th kilometre and severely dehydrated. He was hospitalised afterwards. Picture: Jewel SamadSource:AFP
China's Lin Yue and Chen Aisen compete during the men's synchronised 10m platform diving final, and Brazil's Ingrid Oliveira and Giovanna Pedrosoin the women's synchronised 10m platform diving final a day later. The aquatic centre pool became known as the “green swamp” amid serious concerns that it posed a health risk. Picture: Matt DunhamSource:AP
The United States’ Ryan Lochte will be remembered not for his performance, but for his bizarre claims about being robbed at gunpoint, which Rio police deny. Footage later emerged of him and other swimmers at a petrol station where it was alleged they were stopped by security after drunkenly vandalising a bathroom. Picture: Michael SohnSource:AP
It remains to be seen what legacy the Olympics will have for Rio, but it was certainly a thrilling ride. Picture: Mario TamaSource:Getty Images
