The 2012 Summer

Olympics and also

more generally
known as London
2012, was a major
international multi-
sport event,
celebrated in the
tradition of the
Olympic Games, as
governed by the
International
Olympic Committee
(IOC), that took
place in London,
United Kingdom,
from 27 July to 12
August 2012. The
first event, the
group stages in
women's football,
began two days
earlier, on 25
July.More than
10,000 athletes
from 204 National
Olympic
Committees
(NOCs)
participated.

The Games
received
widespread acclaim
for their
organisation, with
the volunteers, the
British military,
and public
enthusiasm praised
particularly highly.
The opening
ceremony,
directed by Danny
Boyle, also
received near-
universal
acclaim.During the
Games, Michael
Phelps became the
most decorated
Olympic athlete of
all time, winning his
22nd medal. Great
Britain achieved
its highest tally of
gold medals since
1908, finishing
third in the medal
table. Saudi
Arabia, Qatar and
Brunei entered
female athletes
for the first time,
meaning every
currently eligible
country has sent a
female competitor
to at least one
Olympic
Games.With
women's boxing
included, the
Games became the
first at which
every sport had
female
competitors
.