AP PHOTOS: Highlights from 2 weeks of London 2012

My Fox Spokane Biz
AP PHOTOS: Highlights from 2 weeks of London 2012

By The Associated Press

The 2012 London Games kicked off 16 days ago with Queen Elizabeth II (actually, a body double) parachuting into a whimsical opening ceremony.

The games gathered speed as U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps collected four gold medals and six overall to become the most decorated Olympian ever, with 22 career medals.

Gabby Douglas, the 16-year-old American gymnast, won two golds - and got to meet Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, to boot.

In one delirious night, Britain struck gold three times in track and field - all in less than an hour. The host country piled up 28 golds and will finish third in the medal count.

As the games neared the end, Jamaica's Usain Bolt ran a blistering anchor leg to set a world record in the 4x100 relay for his third gold.

On the final day, LeBron James and the U.S. men's basketball team held off Spain 100-107 for the gold.

Before the flame is extinguished, The Who and the Spice Girls will help give the games a rousing send-off at the closing ceremony.

___

Here, in pictures, are some of the best moments from the 2012 Summer Games.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most Popular Stories

O'Malley using agenda, fundraising to explore 2016

O'Malley using agenda, fundraising to explore 2016
By KEN THOMAS and BRIAN WITTEAssociated Press ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - His latest legislative achievements put him in the vanguard of his party's liberal base. He's been a top fundraiser for President Barack Obama. And he's ramping up his travel to help fellow Democrats around the country

Small Fla. city anxious to learn jackpot winner

Small Fla. city anxious to learn jackpot winner
By TAMARA LUSH and BARBARA RODRIGUEZAssociated Press ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (AP) - It could be an anxious wait of up to two months for people in a small Florida city to find out who won the highest Powerball jackpot in history: an estimated $590.5 million. The lucky ticket was bought sometime Saturday

Public Memorial For Fairchild Airmen Of KC-135 Tanker Crash In Kyrgyzstan

Public Memorial For Fairchild Airmen Of KC-135 Tanker Crash In Kyrgyzstan
AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. - A public memorial for the patriots who lost their lives onboard a KC-135 that crashed May 3 will be held May 28, 2013 at the Inland Northwest Bank Performing Arts Center at 1 p.m. Capt. Mark Tyler Voss, Capt. Victoria Pinckney and Tech. Sgt. Herman "Tre" Mackey III will be