TEAM GB surpassed all expectations during an Olympic Games full of history-making achievements.

Based on sporting preference, everyone will have their own personal stand-out scene from Rio 2016, and the Evening Mail reporting team struggled to narrow down an endless list of memorable moments to pick a top ten.

In no particular order, here is what they chose:

From the home nation:


* Mo Farah becomes Great Britain’s greatest track and field athlete after winning his third gold medal, before going on to compete the “double double” of 5,000m and 10,000m golds in consecutive Olympic Games.

* Nick Skelton executes a heart-stopping but perfect clear round against the clock to take gold in the individual show jumping, riding Big Star.

The 58-year-old, who has battled back from a broken neck and a hip replacement during the course of his career, becomes Britain's oldest gold medallist since 1908 and the oldest medallist ever in Olympic equestrian history.

* The Brownlee brothers share an emotional embrace on the finish line of the triathlon, telling each other “We’ve done it”.

Alistair became the first triathlete to retain an Olympic title while his brother Jonny followed behind to make the pair the first British brothers to win gold and silver at the same event at an Olympics.

* Max Whitlock defies all expectation to take Britain’s first ever Olympic gymnastics gold in the men’s floor.

The 23-year-old had barely stepped down from the podium before he had to compete in the men’s pommel horse - where his confidence and relaxation inspired him to his second gold of the day.

* Laura Trott and Jason Kenny share the kiss of a “golden couple” at the climax of an incredible week of track cycling for Team GB.

In the space of one evening, Miss Trott became Britain’s most successful female Olympian by taking her fourth gold medal, before watching her fiance face a tense Keirin final and take his sixth gold medal to match the record set by Sir Chris Hoy.

The best of the rest:

* Usain Bolt cements his title as the greatest sprinter of all time by completing the triple treble, taking gold in the 100m, 200m and sprint relay for the third time.

* Two runners become the embodiment of Olympic spirit when they help each other across the finish line after falling together during their 5,000m heat.

New Zealander Nikki Hamblin and American Abbey D’Agostino are awarded the Pierre de Coubertin award for epitomising the values of fair play and sportsmanship.

* Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas managed to win a dramatic gold medal in the women’s 400m final - by diving over the line. Miller stumbled in the final stages and then lunged forward as she headed towards the track, edging out American world champion Allyson Felix.

* Nineteen-year-old US gymnast Simone Biles took the Games by storm, producing a stunning performance to win the women's all-around Olympic gold medal. She ended up taking home four gold medals and a bronze.

* Michael Phelps, the world’s most decorated Olympian, brings an astounding career to a close after adding another five gold medals to his tally. Over the course of his career, and five Olympic games, the American star has won 28 medals including 23 golds.

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