Long regarded as secondary to the Olympic Games, the Paralympics have reached new levels of esteem at London 2012.
London 2012
Out of the Olympic Pool, Can Michael Phelps Still Grow Swimming?
He’s sworn off swimming competitively (for now). But that doesn’t mean he won’t be the world’s best ambassador for the sport
The Games Come Home: Tracing the Paralympics’ British Roots
How an archery tournament for disabled World War II veterans in the British town of Stoke Mandeville grew into the second-largest sporting event on earth
20 Paralympic Athletes to Watch at London 2012
From Australia to Great Britain, South Africa to the U.S., TIME takes you around the globe to meet the compelling and inspiring athletes competing at the London Paralympics.
Where Do You Go From Gold? What British Stars Are Doing After the Games
Great Britain’s Olympic stars have achieved their biggest dreams at their home games–but what next for these athletes?
Social Self Portraits: Olympic Athletes’ Best Photos From London 2012
Amazing photos from the track and the pool fill the pages of magazines and the front pages of newspapers every Olympics. But thanks to social media and some camera-happy athletes we’re now privy to some amazing behind-the-scenes …
Britain’s Party: The London Games Rock On at the Closing Ceremony
With a musical medley of epic proportions, Britain puts on a memorable closing ceremony to cap a jolly good fortnight in London
Olympic Homophobia: Why Are There So Few Openly Gay Athletes?
In the high-profile world of Olympic competition, only a small (but growing) number of gay athletes have publicly acknowledged their sexual orientation.
The Olympic Manicure: Why Nail Art Has Gone Mainstream At London 2012
Female athletes have been dabbling with nail art as way of displaying national pride.
U.S. Beach Volleyball Team of May-Treanor and Walsh Win Record Third Consecutive Gold
It’s everywhere you go in London – on signs, on banners, and covering the mats in venues. It’s the shocking pink that is London 2012’s color scheme