6 August 2012
Last updated at
16:37 GMT
One of the biggest legacies of the London 2012 Olympics was to inspire the next generation of young athletes. Here, BBC Sport looks at some of the gold medallists from these Games and who inspired them.
Here are Venus and Serena Williams in 1990 with former President of the United States Ronald Reagan. At that time, their childhood inspirations were Billie Jean King and Pete Sampras. The star siblings added another golden chapter to their glittering careers in London as they made Olympic history and became the first pair to win the women's doubles three times. Serena also won her first singles title, becoming one of only four players to win Olympic gold and all four Grand Slams.
Here is Andy Murray pictured in 1999. At that time his childhood inspiration was eight-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medallist Andre Agassi. After missing out on a major at the final hurdle on four occasions, the Scot was finally able to bask in the glory of an historic moment after beating Roger Federer to gold with an inspired straight sets victory on Wimbledon's Centre Court. It came just four weeks after the world number one had beaten him in the SW19 final.
Here is Michael Phelps, aged 14, pictured in 2000. The swimmer's childhood inspiration was NBA legend Michael Jordan. Phelps' place in Olympic history was secure before these Games, however he departs London the most decorated Olympian in history. The American's successes in the swimming pool saw him further swell his already-vast medal haul to 22, with 18 of them gold.
Here is heptathlete Jessica Ennis, aged 17, pictured in 2003. Her childhood inspiration was 2000 Olympic champion Denise Lewis, whose British record she broke on the way to becoming the host nation's golden girl of these Games. The Sheffield athlete had already won the World and European Championships, yet she claimed the most coveted title of all with a score of 6,955, with her crowning moment one of the most iconic of London 2012.
Here is a fresh-faced Bradley Wiggins, aged 23, pictured in 2003. His childhood inspiration was five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain. Wiggins made history by emulating the Spaniard this year and becoming the first Briton to win the Tour and his remarkable summer continued with victory in the men's cycling time trial - his fourth Games gold medal.
Here is Olympic 10,000m champion Mo Farah, aged 19, pictured in 2002. A self-confessed Arsenal supporter, his childhood inspiration was Gunners and England striker Ian Wright. Born in Somalia before moving to England aged eight, the world 5,000m champion's remarkable rise to stardom was complete when he crossed the line in London in 27 minutes 30.42 seconds, ending a run of four successive Ethiopian wins.
Here is Ben Ainslie, pictured after claiming silver at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. His childhood inspiration was his father, Rod, a round-the-world yachtsman. Ainslie became the most successful Olympic sailor of all time after claiming his fourth successive gold at the 2012 Games. Having won the Laser class in Sydney in 2000, he triumphed in the Finn in Athens, Beijing and now London.
Here is two-time 100m Olympic champion and world record holder Usain Bolt, pictured in 2002. His childhood inspiration was quadruple Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson. Bolt became the face of the Beijing Games in 2008 after storming to victory in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay and the Jamaican earned himself legendary status by successfully defending his 100m crown in a Games record time of 9.63 seconds.
Here is Tom Daley, pictured in 2008 aged 13. His childhood inspirations were Canada's Alexandre Despatie, a 1998 Commonwealth gold winner aged 13, and British diver Leon Taylor. Now 18, Daley has been one of the faces of these Olympics and, after narrowly missing out on a medal in the men's synchronised 10m platform, he goes for gold on Thursday in the individual event. The question now, of course, is will he join them?
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