Olympic Games 2012 - London comes up trumps

After months, if not years, of anticipation, and two weeks of competition, the 2012 Olympic Games have been and gone. London's big moment had been seven years in the making and, despite a build-up rocked by controversy over the budget and what to do with the Olympic Stadium after the Games, the organising committee can hold their heads up high. London 2012 has been an undoubted success, with security concerns thankfully proving unfounded and the day-to-day logistics of the Games running smoothly. This time last year, we heard London in the news and knew it would be accompanied by the escalation of rioting. Now, the English capital is at the forefront of global media for the right reasons.

Danny Boyle, the acclaimed director of Slumdog Millionaire (already worthy of classic status), was given the responsibility of putting on an Opening Ceremony show to remember and he did not disappoint. While the nod to the National Health Service left quite a few of us bemused, it was quickly left in the shade by the sheer number of countries on display at the Games on a night when commentators handed out a few geography lessons. In true Danny Boyle fashion, it came to a tubthumping crescendo with seven nominated children carrying the Olympic flame to the centre of the stadium and a kaleidoscopic fireworks display. It was so fascinating that the start of the Olympic events themselves was almost an anti-climax.

That wasn't the case for long, though. As ever the first week of the Games was dominated by events in the pool, and it was in the water that American Michael Phelps wrote himself into the history books by taking his total Olympic gold medal haul to 18, more than any of the thousands of athletes to compete in the modern Olympic Games since it began in 1896. He fought off stiff competition from fellow countryman Ryan Lochte to reaffirm his status as king of the swimming pool.

Two teenage girls also made headlines in swimming events. 16-year-old Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen smashed the existing world record en route to winning gold in the 400m individual medley, but when it emerged that she swam the final 50 metres faster than Lochte in his race over the same distance, accusations of doping were made. There were no such storm clouds hovering over 15-year-old Lithuanian girl Ruta Meilutyte, who shocked the world by taking gold in the 100m breathstroke. She memorably could barely even muster a word when 'interviewed' by BBC's poolside reporter immediately after her incredible achievement.

The second week of the Games saw most of the worldwide attention turn to the running track at the temporarily forgotten Olympic Stadium. In a parallel with the swimming, the eagerly-awaited 100m mens final was billed as a duel between existing champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica and compatriot pretender to the crown Yohann Blake. Some dared to write off Bolt before the Games but he answered his critics by sprinting to gold in 9.63 seconds. It would take me that long to yawn. Not content with that, the legendary Bolt also retained his 200m title and was a member of Jamaica's 4x100m gold-winning relay team. Along with Phelps, he is an Olympic icon. How lucky we are to be in the presence of true greatness.

Which brings me nicely to one Katie Taylor. She must have had a sore back carrying the hopes of an expectant nation into the Games, but in typical fashion she looked unfazed by the considerable pressure on her shoulders. It was her extraordinary achievements that persuaded the IOC to introduce women's boxing this year in the first place and, appropriately, she took home the gold medal with a narrow victory over Russia's Sofya Ochigava. In doing so she made sure that her triumph, and not Ireland's miserable Euro 2012 showing, will be the standout sporting memory for us this year. That's right, US. Take note, Daily Telegraph.

She was one of four Irish boxers to claim medals in London, with John Joe Nevin earning silver and Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan both securing bronze. Following on from the success of Barnes, Kenny Egan (who proved himself to be a shrewd analyst as well) and the late Darren Sutherland in Beijing four years ago, it confirmed that Irish boxing is in a rude state of health. Cian O'Connor can also be pleased with a bronze medal, even though he was tantalisingly close to gold, and your heart must go out to Annalise Murphy, who was cruelly denied a medal finish in sailing, having led the way for so long.

The host nation didn't fare out too badly over the 16 days of competition. Athletes Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah sent the home crowd into raptures and Bradley Wiggins doubled up his recent Tour de France win with a gold medal. There was also triumph for Andy Murray, who finally came good on the big occasion to banish the tearful memories of Wimbledon a month ago. Great Britain finished with 29 golds, third only to perennial leaders USA and China.

The biggest British disappointment was probably the quarter-final exit of both the men's and women's soccer teams, with Mexico shocking Brazil to take the honours in the men's final and world champions Japan coming up trumps in the women's. There was one major surprise in the men's tournament with European and world champions Spain exiting at the group stage without even scoring a goal. That was despite the presence of European champions Juan Mata, Jordi Alba and Javi Martinez in their side.

Finally a tipping of the hat to the BBC for their coverage of events over the two weeks. Those lucky enough to have the option of the red button could literally choose anything they wanted to watch. From athletics to archery, swimming to sailing, football to fencing, it was all there. RTE also showed their worth during the Games with excellent analysis from the likes of Egan, Jerry Kiernan and Bernard Dunne. The dulcet tones of Jimmy Magee were also a plus, even though some firmly believe that the legendary commentator is past his sell-by date.

London 2012 has produced all that the organisers could have wished for, and more. The bar has been raised quite high for Rio de Janeiro to maintain the standard in four years' time. The Games are over but they have not disappointed. Unless you're one of those who just missed out on a medal. But if you are, you're in good company.