We are thankful for many things on this Olympic Wednesday as we explore the 2012 Olympiad in England. A whopping 10,518 competitors came to London for the Summer Games, and they chased 302 gold medals in 39 different disciplines. They arrived from 205 different countries, as the events became more diverse. About 2,000 more athletes went faster, higher, and stronger here than at the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul.

The United States (104) was the only nation to surpass 100 medals overall, while China came in second with 92 medals. Both Great Britain and the Russian Federation earned 65 medals to tie for third place on the medal table. All in all, 25 countries earned double-digit medals, which is pretty incredible. Just glancing at the list of nations to win any medal at all makes any sports fan smile at the realization of global engagement.

Most Outstanding Male Athlete: Michael Phelps, United States

American swimmer Michael Phelps becomes our first three-time winner of this honor, after his turns in Athens and Beijing. He won six medals this time, the only athlete in London to do so: golds in the 100m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 4x200m freestyle relay, and the 4x100m medley relay events. He took silvers in the 200m fly and the 4x100m free relay competitions. He missed a seventh medal in the 400IM.

Most Outstanding Female Athlete: Missy Franklin, United States

Two American swimmers each won five medals here to top all women athletes: Missy Franklin and Allison Schmitt. But the former won more individual golds, so she takes the honor here, as has been our customary tiebreaker for the entire time. She won the 100m and 200m backstroke events, while adding golds in two relay events: 4x100m medley and 4x200m free. She won a bronze in the 4x100m free relay.

Most Outstanding Male Team: British Cycling (Track)

The United Kingdom’s men’s cycling team won four golds and a bronze in the five track cycling events: Jason Kenny won the sprint; Chris Hoy won the Keirin; and Ed Clancy took the bronze in the Omnium. As a collective, the nation won the team sprint and the team pursuit (4,000m) events. It was quite a show to put on for the “hometown” fans, for sure, especially in such a tight arena for the event staging. Well done!

Most Outstanding Female Team: Chinese Diving

For the second time in a row, the Chinese divers dominated their events enough to win this honor again: Wu Minxia (gold) and He Zi (silver) owned the springboard event, while Chen Ruolin won the platform competition. In addition, China won the synchronized team golds in both the springboard and platform. Winning all four gold medals, and then some, here represents the kind of effort that gets our attention.