At least 18 countries are showcasing what they have to offer by opening their diverse doors to the world. TIME takes a peek inside three Olympic Houses
London 2012
Ireland’s Best Hope for Gold: Boxer Katie Taylor Punches Her Way into Women’s Semifinal
With Ireland’s heavy expectations on her shoulders, the four-time world champion — who has already electrified the boxing ring in London — sets her sights on winning the ultimate prize
London in Full Bloom: Wildflowers Are Breakout Stars at Olympic Park
Olympic spectators can’t stop taking pictures of them. Passersby point when they see them. They’ve even generated fan mail. They’re British wildflowers, and they are earning golden reviews at Olympic Park.
After Ending Career with a Gold, Is Phelps the Greatest Olympian of All Time?
U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps closed out his career with an unprecedented 18th gold medal
U.S.’s Golden Day in the Pool: Phelps Wins 17th Gold
Michael Phelps has been doing a lot of smiling lately. In the last lap of the 4x200m freestyle relay on Tuesday, he started smiling. Underwater. Three days later, after definitively claiming his record-setting 17th gold (and 21st …
Olga Korbut’s Olympic Journey
The legendary gymnast was honored by the Royal Opera House in London on the 40th anniversary of winning three golds in Munich. She talked to TIME about her Olympic memories and why meeting President Richard Nixon did so much for …
Pigments of Imagination: Colors of the Olympics
The vibrant venues of the 2012 London Olympics have inspired rich, saturated photos. TIME’s photo editors bring you the most colorful moments of the Games.
History-Making High: How U.S. Gymnast Gabrielle Douglas Became the Olympic All-Around Champion
Douglas makes history twice: she’s the first African-American all-around Olympic champion and the first U.S. gymnast to win both that title and the team gold in the same Games
Welcome to Switzerland: An Olympic PR Blitz at London 2012
The Swiss organizers, who have a budget of $4.6 million, opted to showcase the quirky.
Twenty Gymnasts to Watch in the Women’s All-Around and Event Finals
The Americans won the team competition, but there are still 15 individual medals up for grabs. Meet the favorites.