"These were happy and glorious Games," - IOC president Jacques Rogge at the closing ceremony.

"I did everything I wanted to. I finished my career the way I wanted to," - American swimmer Michael Phelps after retiring with 18 gold medals.

"I hope that this medal inspires the kids at home to put down guns and knives and pick up a pair of trainers instead," - Erick Barrondo, winner of Guatemala's first-ever Olympic medal with silver in the men's 20-kilometre race walk.

"I'm now a legend. I'm also the greatest athlete to live," - Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt after retaining his 100 and 200 metre titles.

"Bolt was good but Rudisha was magnificent - it was the performance of the Games, not just track and field," - London 2012 head Sebastian Coe about Kenyan David Rudisha's world record win in the 800 metres.

Image: Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's 100m final at the athletics event during the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5, 2012 in London.

Text: Reuters

Images: AFP