Story highlights
- Squash is one of the sports bidding to be part of the 2020 Olympic Games
- Nicol David is a six-time world champion hope to compete for a gold medal at the Games
- Verocom are heading the campaign, having help Rio win the 2016 Games
- A decision on which sport will enter in 2020 will be made in Buenos Aires next year
Winning a gold medal is the pinnacle of any Olympic athlete's career, and most have to be happy for the chance to participate on sport's biggest stage.
For Nicol David, however, time is running out. The Malaysian is the top-ranked women's squash player and a six-time world champion, but she has never competed at the Games. So, at the age of 28, she is trying to rectify the situation before it's too late.
Squash has never been an Olympic sport, and it failed in its bid to be one of the 36 included at London 2012 -- and in Rio in four years' time, when its application was rejected while golf and rugby succeeded.
However, David is fronting a campaign which aims to secure squash a place in the 2020 program and thus achieve her lifelong ambition.
"After the world championships last year I was asked how much I wanted to be part of the Games," she told CNN.
"I said I would trade all six of my world titles for just one Olympic gold medal. Every world title means the world to me, so that's how important the Olympics is in my heart."
What Rio 2016 can learn from London 2012 03:47
How it all went right for Britain 03:01
But, due to the way the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decides which sports enter the Games, the dreams of an athlete in another discipline must be shattered for David's to come true.
In order to maintain the Olympics' prestige, and ensure it is still feasible for one city to host all of the events, the IOC will only introduce a new sport if an existing one is removed from the program.
"You have a long list of sports trying to get onto the program because it is their one way to showcase their sport to the world," explains former IOC marketing director Michael Payne.
"The IOC undertakes a very detailed technical analysis to understand the popularity of the sport, the number of players, infrastructure, TV, media and then finally takes a vote to decide which new sport is welcomed onto the program."
There is one man who knows more than most what it takes to convince the IOC of a sport's Olympic worth.
Mike Lee is the chairman of Verocom, an organization which has successfully overseen campaigns to bring the Games to Rio in 2016, the Winter Olympics to Pyongchang in 2018 and the FIFA World Cup to Qatar in 2022.
Lee and his team also navigated a course which gained rugby sevens acceptance into the 2016 Games. It makes perfect sense, then, for Verocom to spearhead squash's Olympic bid.
"You have to look in considerable detail at, not just the sport itself, what it might offer to the Olympic Games, what it brings to the Olympic program," said Lee, former director of communications and public affairs for London 2012's successful bid.
"What do you offer to the Olympic experience? What is it your sport will do to enhance the Games, in a way which is also in line with the spirit and the values of the Games?"
In a manner of speaking, squash has been sexed up in a bid to make itself more attractive to the IOC, making vibrant changes to the courts and apparatus.
"The sport has worked very hard to innovate, to make it much more fan and broadcast friendly, from all-glass courts to the camera positions, to the use of a video review system and a white ball," he said.
Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – During the day, the Olympic Park in London is heaving with people going to and from events and seeing the sights. But at night, it's a different story. One day towards the end of the Olympics fortnight, CNN's Linnie Rawlinson stayed to see what happens once spectators are all inside the venues, watching their evening games.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – Though night was falling, and a little rain was too, the live broadcast in the Olympic Park continued ...
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – ... watched by many hardy Olympics fans who'd purchased park tickets or stayed on after watching the day's events.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – In the absence of large crowds, mounted police officers had time to chat to spectators - who took the opportunity to admire their horses, too.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – The picnic area outside the Copper Box, crowded earlier in the day, was almost deserted at dusk. Artist Monica Bonvicini's permanent sculpture, "Run," shone brightly in front of it. The venue will become a multi-purpose venue for community and sporting events.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – Even the Coca Cola beat box -- an interactive installation featuring music by Mark Ronson -- was quiet.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – The stadium and the Orbit stood out against the cloudy East London sky and reflected in the River Lea, which flows through the park. The stadium was hosting athletics that night.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – I could hear the crowd roaring from inside the stadium, but the ticket gate was as far as I could go. After the Games, the stadium will hold sports, community and entertainment events, with a focus on athletics.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – The Aquatic Centre shone neon yellow beyond wildflower planting on the banks of the River Lea. The venue's curved center, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, will remain after the Games. The sweeping wings either side are temporary stands that will be dismantled at the end of the Games.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
Olympic park Orbit tower – Anish Kapoor's "Orbit Tower," a permanent artwork and the tallest art structure in Britain, attracted many of my fellow stragglers, its vivid red form illuminated brightly against the sky.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – The Aquatic Centre with the Water Polo Arena in the background. From this angle, the Arena almost looked like a blue whale rising up from the Lea. The lights in its roof pulsed from blue to green to purple.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – The Water Polo Arena, seen beyond the River Lea, is the first dedicated water polo venue to be built for an Olympic Games. Its components will be reused or recycled after the Games.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – Two Eton Manor volunteers took a moment for a quiet conversation in front of the "bit.fall" installation by artist Julius Popp. Words taken from live news headlines are projected at random onto five man-made waterfalls under the Stratford Gate bridge.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – Once the evening's athletics had finished, crowds poured from the Olympic Stadium. Dancers guided the crowds towards the exits and wished them a safe journey home.
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Photos: An alternative view of the Olympic Park
An alternative view of the Olympic Park – It was time for me to head home too. I bade the Olympic Park farewell, knowing it'd be the last time I'd see the five Olympic rings emblazoned against the East London sky.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – Fireworks light up the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday, August 12. Check out photos from the opening ceremony.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – Athletes from Great Britain parade during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – From left, London Mayor Boris Johnson, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes enter the stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – A French athlete carries her nation's flag as the French team parades through the stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – British actor Timothy Spall portrays Winston Churchill during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Actors perform during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – An actor waves a Union Jack from atop a mockup of the Big Ben tower.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists wave Union Jack flags as they perform during the closing ceremony.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – The ceremony featured replicas of several London landmarks, including Tower Bridge and the giant Ferris wheel known as London Eye.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – Another view of the performance by the British percussion group Stomp.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – Members of the British percussion group Stomp pound trash cans during their performance.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – A rendition of London's Big Ben makes an appearance in the closing ceremony.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – British cellist Julian Lloyd Webber performs.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – Acrobats perform during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Actors dressed as Batman and Robin perform a segment from an episode of the British television comedy, "Only Fools and Horses."
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – Actors perform in the closing ceremony.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – The Household Division Ceremonial State Band perform the song "Parklife," originally done by the British rock band Blur.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande performs "Read All About It" during the closing ceremony at Olympic stadium.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – A general view of the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – The British pop group One Direction performs "What Makes You Beautiful."
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Madness perform their 1982 hit "Our House" during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Annie Lennox performs.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Annie Lennox performs during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Brian May of Queen performs during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists form a sculpture representing the face of John Lennon during the closing ceremony.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Spain's sailor Marina Alabau Neira shows her gold medal during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – The Pet Shop Boys perform their evocative song about London, "West End Girls." The duo originally released the song in 1985.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – British group Madness, led by lead singer Graham McPherson, perform their 1982 hit, "Our House."
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson is lifted into the air while playing "Our House," a reprise of what he did in the video for the song.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Chas Smash and lead singer Graham Suggs McPherson of Madness perform.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – British artist George Michael performs at the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Global artist George Michael performs.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Athletes fill the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – British singer George Michael performs.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Entertainer Russell Brand performs during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – British comedian Russell Brand, center, performs at the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – The athletes of the competing nations enter the stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – British comedian Russell Brand performs.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – British DJ and producer Fat Boy Slim performs.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Dancers take part inside the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Fat Boy Slim, aka Norman Cook, during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – General view taken during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – British singer Jesse J inside the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Jessie J performs during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Brazilian artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Taio Cruz performs during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – A general view shows the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – British rap singer Tinie Tempah performs at the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Fireworks explode over the stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Brian May of Queen performs alongside Jessie J.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Fireworks explode over the stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Matthew Bellamy of Muse performs during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – A performer stands on top of a giant cannon.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – British comedian Eric Idle performs.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Eric Idle performs during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Dutch athletes parade during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Chachi Valencia, alias The Rocket Man, is propelled in the air at the Olympic stadium.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – From left, Geri Haliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham and Melanie Brown of the Spice Girls reunite for the closing ceremony.
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Photos: Photos: Olympics closing ceremony
Olympic Closing Ceremony – Victoria Beckham of the Spice Girls performs.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm of The Spice Girls perform.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – The Spice Girls perform at the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – A high-wire artist performs during a rendition of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here."
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Roger Daltrey of The Who performs during the finale of the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Girls perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – From left, Spice Girls Victoria Beckham, Gerie Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Melanie Brown perform during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Actors ride scooters during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Fireworks explode over the stadium during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Ballerina Darcey Bussell performs with the Royal Ballet.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Ballet dancer Darcey Bussell descends into the stadium on a phoenix.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Athlete Mark Lewis-Francis of Great Britain films teammates.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – From left, British models Stella Tennant, Lily Cole, Karen Elson, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn and David Gandy perform at the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Model Kate Moss performs during the British fashion portion of the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – British model Naomi Campbell, left, performs during the fashion segment of the ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Performers dance during the presentation by Rio de Janeiro, the next host city.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Fireworks light up the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – An athlete waves a German flag during the athletes' parade at the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Brazilian artists perform.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Singer Marisa Monte performs as Rio de Janeiro, the next host city, makes its presentation.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – The road to Rio is celebrated during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – A general view of the stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – A view looking down into London's Olympic stadium shows a rendition of the Union Jack on the stadium floor as the closing ceremony gets under way.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – A Mexican athlete wearing a wrestler's mask parades during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform at the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Athletes wave Irish flags at the Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – An athlete from Germany parades through the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Flagbearers carry the flags of the 204 countries that participated in the Olympics.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – The Olympic cauldron burns during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Flagbearers parade during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Athletes gather in the center of the stadium to form a giant, living rendition of the British Union Jack.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – A female athlete from Germany rides on the shoulders of a male teammate during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Artists perform during the closing ceremony.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Athletes from the 30th Olympics enter Olympic stadium in London.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Athletes form a living Union Jack on the floor of Olympic stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – Spectators applaud the ceremony from high above the floor.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – A general view shows the vastness of the stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – The sun sets over the Olympic Stadium few minutes before the start of the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – The Olympic Cauldron burns at the center of the stadium.
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Olympic Closing Ceremony – The Olympic Cauldron burns during the closing ceremony. Look back at photos from the opening ceremony.
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Photos: London 2012: Top-10 sporting moments
Photos: London 2012: Top-10 sporting moments
Lightning Bolt strikes thrice – Everyone came to see Usain Bolt, and he did not disappoint. The 25-year-old Jamaican won three gold medals at the London Olympics; two individually (100m and 200m) and one in a team event (pictured above -- the men's 4 x 100m relay).
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Photos: London 2012: Top-10 sporting moments
Cycling supremacy for Team GB – Chris Hoy became Britain's most successful Olympian with six career golds as Team GB dominated the cycling events, winning nine medals in total.
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Photos: London 2012: Top-10 sporting moments
The poster boy of the pool – Michael Phelps, the "Baltimore Bullet," secured his place as the most successful Olympian of all time by winning his 18th career gold and his 22nd medal overall.
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Photos: London 2012: Top-10 sporting moments
'The Flying Dutchman' – Few may have known his name prior to London 2012, but Dutch gymnast Epke Zonderland showed off his gravity-defying skills during the men's horizontal bar section of the artistic gymnastics event.
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Photos: London 2012: Top-10 sporting moments
Rudisha rocks the record books – David Lekuta Rudisha of Kenya celebrates after winning gold and setting a new world record in the men's 800m final on Day 13 of the Games.
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Photos: London 2012: Top-10 sporting moments
Relay team record-breakers – Carmelita Jeter, Bianca Knight, Allyson Felix and Tianna Madison of the United States celebrate next to the clock after winning gold and setting a new world record of 40.82 seconds in the women's 4x100m relay final.
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Photos: London 2012: Top-10 sporting moments
Britain's tennis triumph – Great Britain's Andy Murray celebrates after winning the men's singles gold medal match, defeating Switzerland's Roger Federer in the London Olympics. It came 27 days after Murray lost to Federer in the Wimbledon final.
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Photos: London 2012: Top-10 sporting moments
The swimmer who stunned the world – Aged just 16, Ye Shiwen of China stunned spectators with her record-breaking speeds, winning two gold medals.
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Photos: London 2012: Top-10 sporting moments
Uganda's long wait ends – Uganda won its second Olympic gold medal when Stephen Kiprotich won the men's marathon on the final day -- coming 40 years after the first earned by John Akii-Bua in the 400-meter hurdles.
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Photos: London 2012: Top-10 sporting moments
Britain's best boxing bouts ever – British boxer Anthony Joshua, won gold for his nation in the final of the super-heavyweight division by beating Italy's Roberto Cammarelle. It rounded out the best performance Britain had seen in boxing since 1920.
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"They're now experimenting with glass floors. This is a sport that has moved itself considerably over the last few years. It has been on the basis of making itself more friendly to the spectators at the event or the viewers on television."
A wide variety of sports are covered within the Games, from BMX to equestrian, catering to tastes and interests from all over the world. If squash is to enter the "greatest show on Earth," it will have to fend off fierce competition.
"Softball and baseball, which came out of the Games for London, karate, roller sports, sports climbing, wakeboarding, wushu (a martial art) and the sport which comes out of the Games," replied World Squash CEO Andrew Shelley when asked about its rivals.
"We've bid twice before. Whilst we weren't perhaps ready, we had a lot of very good advice from the IOC and we've learned a lot from them.
"This time the process is very clear. There is one place available due to the taking out of a sport by the IOC after the Games in London.
"Our sport is scrutinized and evaluated alongside all the other candidates. If we're fortunate, we come out on top at the meeting in Buenos Aires in 2013."
Squash will hope to follow in the footsteps of rugby sevens and golf, which have been added to the program for the Games' South American debut in Rio.
"Rugby sevens was looked at as a very professional campaign," Lee said. "One of the keys was how a tournament over two or three days would enhance the Olympic Games.
Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – The U.S. men's basketball team celebrates winning the gold medal after defeating Spain on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday, August 12.
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Olympics: American gold medals – With hands over their hearts, the U.S. team listens as "The Star Spangled Banner" is played after the team was awarded their gold medals.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Kevin Durant, center, is triumphant at the end of the gold medal match against Spain on Sunday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – LeBron James goes up for a shot as Serge Ibaka of Spain attempts to block.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Pau Gasol of Spain drives past Kevin Love of the United States.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Kobe Bryant of the United States shoots a three-point shot over Juan-Carlos Navarro of Spain.
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Olympics: American gold medals – With victory in sight, U.S. players players come off the bench near the game's end as Marc Gasol of Spain walks off.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. wrestler Jacob Varner waves the Stars and Stripes after winning the gold medal in the men's 96-kilogram freestyle event on Sunday, August 12.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Varner defeated Ukraine's Valerii Andriitsev in the gold medal match Sunday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Varner revels in his victory over Andriitsev.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Varner defeated George Gogshelidze of Georgia in the semi-final match to move on to the finals.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – Standing on the podium after receiving their medals are, left to right, silver medalist Andriitsev, gold medalist Varner and bronze medalists George Gogshelidze of Georgia and Khetag Gazyumov of Azerbaijan.
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Olympics: American gold medals – American David Boudia performs a dive in the the men's 10-meter platform diving final. He won gold with China's Bo Qiu taking silver and Great Britain's Tom Daley winning bronze.
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Olympics: American gold medals – David Boudia performs in the men's 10-meter platform diving final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – David Boudia reacts to winning gold in the men's 10-meter platform final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – David Boudia celebrates winning the men's 10-meter platform diving final with teammate Nicholas McCrory, who finished ninth.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Seimone Augustus, number 5, and Angel McCaughtry, number 8, celebrate with the rest of the U.S. women's basketball team after defeating France 86-50 to win the gold medal.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Members of the U.S. women's basketball team hug after defeating France.
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Olympics: American gold medals – France's Edwige Lawson-Wade, in blue, goes up for a shot against Sue Bird in the second half.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Maya Moore, in white, leaps for the basket against France's Florence Lepron in the second half.
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Olympics: American gold medals – DeeDee Trotter, Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards-Ross and Francena McCorory, from left to right, are all smiles after winning gold in the women's 4x400-meter relay final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Sanya Richards-Ross of crosses the finish line to win gold for her team.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Sanya Richards-Ross of the United States is triumphant as she crosses the finish line.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Allyson Felix receives the relay baton from DeeDee Trotter during the women's 4x400-meter relay final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – The U.S. women's 4x100-meter relay team -- from left, Carmelita Jeter, Bianca Knight, Tianna Madison and Allyson Felix -- set a new world record in the final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – The U.S. women's 4x100-meter relay team wave the flag to celebrate their world record and gold medal winning victory.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Carmelita Jeter of the United States celebrates winning gold in the women's 4x100-meter relay.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. wrestler Jordan Ernest Burroughs celebrates with the national flag after defeating Iran's Sadegh Saeed Goudarzi in the men's freestyle gold medal match.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Burroughs, in blue, grapples with Goudarzi in the gold medal match.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Burroughs, in blue, competes with Goudarzi in the gold medal match.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Burroughs is declared the winner after defeating Goudarzi.
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Olympics: American gold medals – From left to right: Silver medalist Sadegh Saeed Goudarzi of Iran, gold medalist Jordan Ernest Burroughs of the U.S. and bronze medalists Soslan Tigiev of Uzbekistan and Denis Tsargush of Russia on the podium of the men's 74-kilogram freestyle.
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Olympics: American gold medals – United States players celebrate winning the women's water polo gold medal match against Spain on Thursday, August 9, Day 13 of the London Olympics.
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Olympics: American gold medals – The U.S. team celebrates its gold medal win at the Water Polo Arena in London.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Maggie Steffens of the United States shoots and scores a goal against Spain in the women's water polo match Thursday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Forward Abby Wambach is ecstatic after the United States defeated Japan 2-1 in the women's soccer gold medal match on Thursday, August 9, Day 13 of the London Olympics. Wambach missed the 2008 Games due to a broken leg.
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Olympics: American gold medals – The United States women's soccer team begins the celebration after defeating Japan, avenging its 2011 World Cup final loss.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Midfielder Carli Lloyd of the United States heads in a goal in the first half of the game against Japan. The U.S. women's soccer team took its third straight Olympic gold medal.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Forward Alex Morgan of the United States battles for the ball during Thursday's match against Japan.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Christian Taylor of the United States celebrates after winning gold in the men's triple jump on Thursday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Christian Taylor competes in the men's triple jump final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Christian Taylor lands during the triple jump final on Thursday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Gold medalist Christian Taylor and silver medalist Will Claye, also of the United States, celebrate during the medal ceremony for the men's triple jump. Both athletes attended the University of Florida and are seen doing the "Gator chomp."
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Olympics: American gold medals – Claressa Shields, in red, battles Nadezda Torlopova of Russia during the women's middleweight boxing final. Shields defeated Torlopova 19-12 to take the gold, becoming the first U.S. woman to take an Olympic boxing gold. See more photos of Shields and read her story on CNN's photo blog.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Shields trades punches with Torlopova during the final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Shields celebrates her victory as the referee announces her win.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Shields leaves the ring after defeating Torlopova.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Shields laughs on the podum after receiving her gold medal.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Allyson Felix of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Murielle Ahoure of Cote d'Ivoire and Carmelita Jeter of the United States to win the women's 200-meter final on Wednesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Kerri Walsh Jennings of the United States, top, dives for the ball during the women's beach volleyball gold medal match on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Horse Guards Parade on Wednesday, August 8. She and teammate Misty May-Treanor were playing another duo of Americans: April Ross and Jennifer Kessy.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Kerri Walsh Jennings of the United States, left, competes against countryman April Ross during the women's beach volleyball match on Wednesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Kerri Walsh Jennings, left, and Misty May-Treanor of the United States celebrate winning the gold medal.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Brittney Reese of the United States competes in the women's long jump final on Wednesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Brittney Reese of the United States competes in the women's long jump final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Brittney Reese of the United States celebrates winning gold in the women's long jump final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Aries Merritt of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Hansle Parchment of Jamaica to win gold in the men's 110-meter hurdles final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Aries Merritt of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Jason Richardson of the United States on Wednesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Aries Merritt of the United States celebrates after winning gold in the men's 110-meter hurdles final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Allyson Felix of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Murielle Ahoure of Cote d'Ivoire and Carmelita Jeter of the United States to win the women's 200-meter final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Allyson Felix of the United States celebrates after winning gold in the women's 200-meter final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Alexandra Raisman of the United States competes in the women's floor exercise final Tuesday, August 7, at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Gold medalist Alexandra Raisman poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's gymnastics floor exercise final on Tuesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Alexandra Raisman goes airborne during the floor exercise final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Jennifer Suhr of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal in the women's pole vault final on Monday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Jennifer Suhr competes in the women's pole vault final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Jennifer Suhr shows her emotion after winning gold.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Sanya Richards-Ross wins the gold in the women's 400-meter final at the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday, August 5. Richards-Ross earned the 28th gold medal for the United States.
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Olympics: American gold medals – From left, silver medalist Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain, gold medalist Richards-Ross and bronze medalist DeeDee Trotter of the United States show off their medals during Sunday's ceremony at Olympic Stadium in London.
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Olympics: American gold medals – From left, Amantle Montsho of Botswana, Richards-Ross, Antonina Krivoshapka of Russia, Trotter and Rosemarie Whyte of Jamaica run the 400-meter final Sunday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Richards-Ross crosses the line to win the gold.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Richards-Ross basks in her victory.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams embrace after winning the women's doubles gold medal match on Sunday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Serena Williams, left, and Venus Williams play the Czech Republic's Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka at the women's doubles gold medal match.
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Olympics: American gold medals – The Williams sisters talk as they play Hlavackova and Hradecka.
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Olympics: American gold medals – The sisters celebrate after their victory against the Czech players Sunday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Left to right: Brendan Hansen, Matthew Grevers, Michael Phelps and Nathan Adrian pose following the medal ceremony for the men's 4x100-meter medley on Saturday, August 4.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Michael Phelps competes in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Clockwise: Matthew Grevers, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps and Nathan Adrian react to winning gold in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Left to right: Gold medalists Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Volmer, and Allison Schmitt pose during the medal ceremony for the women's 4x100-meter medley relay on Saturday, August 4.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Dana Vollmer competes in the women's 4x100-meter medley relay final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Dana Vollmer, left, and Missy Franklin react after winning gold in the women's 4x100-meter medley relay.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Brothers Mike Bryan, left, and Bob Bryan embrace after defeating France's Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the men's doubles gold medal tennis match on Saturday, August 4, at Wimbledon.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Mike Bryan, left, and Bob Bryan pose on a podium with their gold medals after winning the men's doubles tennis tournament.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Mike Bryan, left, and Bob Bryan celebrate after defeating France's Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win gold in the men's doubles event.
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Olympics: American gold medals – France's Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga compete against Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan of the United States in the men's doubles final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Serena Williams reacts after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia to win the gold medal in women's singles tennis in London, England, on Saturday, August 4.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Williams admires her gold medal during the medal ceremony after defeating Sharapova in the women's singles match.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Serena Williams hits a return to Russia's Maria Sharapova during the women's singles tennis final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Serena Williams reacts to winning the gold medal in the women's singles tennis event.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Gold medalist Jamie Lynn Gray of the United States celebrates on the podium after winning the 50-meter rifle 3 positions women's final Saturday, August 4.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Gray aims a shot in the 50-meter rifle 3 positions women's qualification at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London.
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olympics Jamie Lynn Gray 3 – Gray adjusts her shooting equipment during the women's 50-meter rifle 3 positions shooting qualification.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Fifteen-year-old Katie Ledecky reacts after winning the women's 800-meter freestyle final on Friday, August 3.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Left to right: Silver medallist Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain, gold medalist Katie Ledecky of the United States and bronze medalist Rebecca Adlington of Great Britain on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 800-meter freestyle final on day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Left to right: Silver medalists Chad le Clos of South Africa and Evgeny Korotyshkin of Russia and gold medalist Michael Phelps listen to the United States national anthem during the medal ceremony for the men's 100-meter butterfly final on Friday, August 3.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Michael Phelps competes in the men's 100-meter butterfly final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Missy Franklin, left, is congratulated by Elizabeth Beisel after winning gold and breaking the world record in the women's 200-meter backstroke final on Friday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Missy Franklin competes in the women's 200-meter backstroke final. Franklin took gold in the event and American Elizabeth Beisel took bronze.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Left to right: Silver medalist Anastasia Zueva of Russia, gold medalist Missy Franklin of the United States and bronze medalist Elizabeth Beisel of the United States on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 200-meter backstroke final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Tyler Clary reacts after winning the gold in the men's 200-meter backstroke final in London on Thursday, August 2.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Tyler Clary celebrates after winning the gold in the men's 200-meter backstroke final. Clary beat Ryan Lochte with an Olympic-record time of 1:53.41.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Left to right: Ryan Lochte, Tyler Clary and China's Fenglin Zhang compete in the men's 200-meter backstroke final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps on the podium after winning the men's 200-meter individual medley in the London Olympics.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Phelps, center, dives next to U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte, top, and Japan's Kosuke Hagino at the start of the 200-meter individual medley.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Phelps, who will retire after the Olympics, made history this week when he became the Olympian with the most medals. He earned his 20th in the individual medley event.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Phelps led from the first leg of the butterfly, his specialty, until he touched the wall more than a half-second ahead of teammate Ryan Lochte.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Phelps reacts to winning gold in the 200-meter Individual medley.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Phelps bested Lochte, right, on Thursday to win the gold in their second head-to-head race. Over the weekend Lochte took gold in the 400-meter individual while Phelps could only manage fourth.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas celebrates on the podium after winning the gymnastics women's individual all-around final on Thursday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – American Gabrielle Douglas performs in front of the judges during her the individual all-around gymnastics final on Thursday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs in the floor exercise at the North Greenwich Arena.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Douglas waves to the crowd after winning the gold medal.
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Olympics: American gold medals – American Kayla Harrison reacts on the podium after winning the gold medal in women's judo on Thursday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – American Kayla Harrison, in white, and Gemma Gibbons of Britain compete in women's judo on Thursday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Kayla Harrison, in white, and Britain's Gemma Gibbons fight for first place.
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Olympics: American gold medals – United States' Kayla Harrison reacts after winning the match.
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Olympics: American gold medals – From left, Britain's silver medalist Gemma Gibbons, United States' gold medalist Kayla Harrison, Brazil's bronze medalist Mayra Aguiar, and France's bronze medalist Audrey Tcheumeo, pose on the podium after the women's judo competition.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Members of the U.S. rowing team celebrate with their gold medals during the medal ceremony after the women's eight final at Eton Dorney in Windsor, England.
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Olympics: American gold medals – The U.S. team poses on their boat after winning their gold medals.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Americans Zsuzsanna Francia and Esther Lofgren celebrate first place.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Members of the gold medal-winning U.S. team, the silver medal-winning Canadian team and the bronze medal-winning Dutch team line up during the medal ceremony.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. team hug after receiving their gold medals during the medal ceremony.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Wearing their gold medals, members of the U.S. team celebrate in their boat.
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Olympics: American gold medals – The U.S. team throws their cox Mary Whipple into the water after their big win.
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Olympics: American gold medals – A member of the U.S. team wears an Uncle Sam getup after she and her teammates won the gold medal in the women's eight rowing final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. gold medalists, from left, Dana Vollmer, Allison Schmitt, Shannon Vreeland and Missy Franklin celebrate on the podium after winning the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay on Wednesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Dana Vollmer competes in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay.
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Olympics: American gold medals – From left, Shannon Vreeland, Dana Vollmer and Missy Franklin watch teammate Allison Schmitt finish first to win the relay.
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Olympics: American gold medals – The U.S. team celebrates after winning the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.
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Olympics: American gold medals – The U.S. women's swim team reacts to their victory over Australia.
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Olympics: American gold medals – At left, Shannon Vreeland, Missy Franklin, Allison Schmitt and Dana Vollmer of the United States celebrate next to the Australian team.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland and Allison Schmitt celebrate on the podium after taking the gold in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay on Wedesnday. It was the United States' eighth gold in swimming.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. gold medalist Nathan Adrian poses on the podium after the men's 100-meter freestyle swimming event on Wednesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – American swimmer Nathan Adrian celebrates after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – From left, silver medalist James Magnussen of Australia, gold medalist Nathan Adrian of the United States and Brent Hayden of Canada stand with their medals on the podium during the medal cermony for the men's 100-meter freestyle final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. gold medalist Nathan Adrian celebrates after his win.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. swimmer Nathan Adrian reacts after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle.
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Olympics: American gold medals – American swimmer Nathan Adrian raises his hands in triumph.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Cyclist Kristin Armstrong celebrates winning a gold medal in the Olympic cycling time trial on Wednesday. She also won the medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Armstrong pushes ahead Wednesday during the women's individual time trial road cycling event.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Armstrong celebrates the gold with her son, Lucas, during the medal ceremony.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Armstrong is victorious in London.
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Olympics: American gold medals – From left, gold medallists Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, Ricky Berens and Michael Phelps pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay final on Tuesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. swimmers Ryan Lochte, center, Conor Dwyer, left, Ricky Berens, right, and Michael Phelps, in the water, react after their win.
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Olympics: American gold medals – American Michael Phelps competes in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Michael Phelps set an Olympic record with his 19th lifetime medal.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Gold medalist U.S. swimmer Allison Schmitt stands on the podium after the women's 200-meter freestyle final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – American swimmer Allison Schmitt celebrates after winning the 200-meter freestyle final.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Gold medalist Allison Schmitt poses with her medal.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Allison Schmitt celebrates in the water after winning the gold.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Allison Schmitt, left, is congratulated by Bronte Barratt of Australia after her win.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Gold medalist Allison Schmitt, center, silver medalist Camille Muffat of France, right, and bronze medalist Bronte Barratt of Australia smile on the podium after the women's 200-meter freestyle final on Tuesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – From left, gold medalist U.S. team McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, Alexandra Raisman, Gabrielle Douglas and Jordyn Wieber celebrate their gold medal in the women's gymnastics team final on Tuesday. They won the United States' seventh gold medal.
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Olympics: American gold medals – The gold medal hangs from the Olympian's neck.
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Olympics: American gold medals – American Kyla Ross and coach Jenny Zhang hug during the women's gymnastics team final Tuesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the beam during the women's team final of the gymnastics event.
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Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. women's gymnastics coach John Geddert celebrates with his team after they won the gold in the team competition Tuesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – American Alexandra Raisman competes on the balance beam Tuesday.
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Olympics: American gold medals – Vincent Hancock shows off his gold medal in men's skeet shooting Tuesday.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – Hancock aims during the men's skeet shooting qualification round Tuesday at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London. The U.S. Army sergeant also won a gold medal in the 2008 Bejing Olympics.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. swimmer Missy Franklin celebrates winning the women's 100-meter backstroke final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on Monday, July 30.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – Missy Franklin of the United States wipes a tear from her face as she reacts during the medal ceremony for the women's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – From left, Camille Lacourt of France, Matt Grevers of the United States and Liam Tancock of Great Britain compete the final of the men's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – American Matthew Grevers (left) celebrates winning gold with silver medalist and fellow American Nick Thoman at the finish of the men's 100-meter backstroke final swimming on Monday.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – From left, silver medalist Emily Seebohm of Australia, gold medalist Missy Franklin of the United States and bronze medalist Aya Terakawa of Japan celebrate with their medals during the medal ceremony for the women's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – U.S. swimmer Dana Vollmer poses on the podium after winning a gold medal in the women's 100-meter butterfly final at the London Olympics on Sunday, July 29.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – Vollmer set a world record in winning the 100-meter butterfly, becoming the first woman to go under 56 seconds.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – Vollmer celebrates after breaking the world record on Sunday.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – Kim Rhode listens to the U.S. national anthem after winning the gold medal in women's skeet shooting Sunday.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – Rhode celebrates winning the skeet competition at the Royal Artillery Barracks.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – Ryan Lochte celebrates with his gold medal during the men's 400-meter individual medley medal ceremony on Saturday. He captured the first U.S. gold medal of the Games.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – Lochte poses with medal on Saturday. His dental braces bear the U.S. flag.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – Lochte reacts after winning the men's 400-meter individual medley final. U.S. teammate and competitor Michael Phelps finished fourth.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – Lochte competes in the men's 400-meter individual medley final. "I know it's my time, and I'm ready."
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – The 400-meter individual medley event Lochte won combines four types of strokes.
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Photos: Olympics: American gold medals
Olympics: American gold medals – While Lochte (above) took gold, Brazil's Thiago Pereira secured the silver medal and Japan's Kosuke Hagino won bronze.
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Photos: Olympic Games leave London with a golden glow
Photos: Olympic Games leave London with a golden glow
Games leave London with a golden glow – London's Olympic Park has transformed Stratford in east London. The area was once a post-industrial wasteland, blighted by pollution. Today it is a bright, colorful park.
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Photos: Olympic Games leave London with a golden glow
Games leave London with a golden glow – After years of hard work, the contaminated land has been cleaned up and planted with wildflowers all the colors of the rainbow.
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Photos: Olympic Games leave London with a golden glow
Games leave London with a golden glow – They provide an oasis of calm in the heart of the bustling Olympic Park, which has welcomed thousands of sports fans in recent weeks.
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Photos: Olympic Games leave London with a golden glow
Games leave London with a golden glow – An army of volunteers clad in bright purple, red and pink welcome visitors to the Games.
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Photos: Olympic Games leave London with a golden glow
Games leave London with a golden glow – The volunteers have been credited with helping ensure the success of London's Olympics, creating a happy, positive mood in the city.
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Photos: Olympic Games leave London with a golden glow
Games leave London with a golden glow – Even the traditional British summer weather hasn't been able to dampen the spirits of fans from all over the world.
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Photos: Olympic Games leave London with a golden glow
Games leave London with a golden glow – Huge support for Team GB has helped the home side shoot up the medal table.
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Photos: Olympic Games leave London with a golden glow
Games leave London with a golden glow – Brits hope the country's renewed optimism will be one of the lasting legacies of the Games.
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"It's not difficult to stage, as long as you've got stadia. It doesn't have to be a rugby stadium, it can be played in many types of stadiums. It's something which is very attractive to young people and the party atmosphere which goes with it."
So what would squash bring to the Games which is not already on offer?
"Squash is a worldwide sport," Shelley said. "We have world champions from all continents and it is played in 185 countries. It is a sport we feel will add something to the Olympics, as well as being a great opportunity for our athletes.
"There was an IOC official many years ago who told me, 'You've got to wait until the train comes into the station and stops. When it does, you've got to be ready.' We're ready, we're just waiting for the train now."
Even if squash is given the green light in Buenos Aires next year, it may come too late for David to reap the rewards of her enthusiastic work.
But, whatever the future has in store for her, she is determined to see squash elevated to the pantheon of Olympic sports.
"It's a dream of mine to be part of the Games," she said. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to get in there. I want to do whatever I can to get there and get squash in there as well.
"Whatever happens, I'll keep working hard because I want to see squash in there someday. If it is not this time, hopefully the next time."
