London 2012: Super Saturday's unforgettable moments - in pictures

Oscar Pistorius made history just by taking his place at the starting line. That probably explained his comments when, cheered to the finish line, he completed his 400m heat. The South African said: 'I was so nervous this morning. Thanks to everyone for showing their support. I didn't know if I should cry or be happy" Photograph: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

After two hours which took in a 1,500m swim in the Serpentine, a seven-lap, 43km bike ride, and a fast and flat 10km run, not a wetsuit separated Switzerland’s Nicola Spirig and Sweden’s Lisa Norden as they sprinted to the line in the most thrilling finish to a triathlon ever. Both collapsed in a heap after breaking the ribbon having been given the same official time of 1:59.48 and it needed a photo-finish to work out the winner, with the Swiss awarded the gold by the judges. Despite losing out in the most heartbreaking fashion, Norden was still smiling at the medal ceremony Photograph: Darron Cummings/AP

A false start, a thrilling race and, in the end, tears for souvenirs for Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter. The defending Olympic champions in the men’s lightweight double sculls led for almost the entirety of the 2km race but were pipped to gold by Mads Rasmussen and Rasmus Quist from Denmark, coming in just 0.61s behind in second. After the race, emotion caught up with the rowers as Purchase struggled and failed to hold back tears when interviewed by BBC presenter John Inverdale. Hunter, 33, said: “We gave everything, we tried everything, we wanted to win so badly. We are sorry to everybody we have let down.” Inverdale almost broke down himself. The veteran presenter, who was positioned along the course with Steve Redgrave, told the pair, his voice cracking: “You let no one down at all.” Photograph: Stephen Pond/PA

He could have been going out for a stroll in the park as opposed to entering a cauldron packed with 80,000 screaming fans. Despite declaring that prior to the Games he was only “95% fit”, Usain Bolt seemed completely unfazed by the roars of a crowd that had waited all morning to see the Jamaican superstar begin the defence of his 100m title. He duly received a rapturous reception equalled only by that given to British heptathlete Jessica Ennis moments earlier. Overcoming a slow start, the Jamaican world record holder stepped up a gear to win his heat in 10.09sec with ease, as he took the first step towards what promises to be the greatest sprint showdown of all time. “That’s London for you,” he said. “I expected that kind of noise” Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

The look on the faces of Sophie Hosking and Katherine Copeland said it all. A picture of proud astonishment, Copeland, racing in her first ever senior event, looked at her partner and mouthed the words “We won the Olympics”, as if to verify that the pair really had just won the women’s lightweight double sculls: “We’re going to be on a stamp tomorrow!” she joked. The pair secured Team GB’s first ever women’s lightweight double sculls title by a full length, beating China into second and the Greek world champions third. The crowd roared their encouragement as the most improved crew of the British team put in an astonishing surge to go one length in front with more than 500m to go, maintaining their lead to the line Photograph: Francisco Leong/AFP/Getty Images

Women's team pursuit champions Dani King, Joanna Rowsell and Laura Trott Photograph: David Ashdown

The USA's Serena Williams celebrates winning the gold medal in the women's singles Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

Great Britain's Andrew Triggs Hodge, Tom James, Pete Reed and Alex Gregory retain their Olympic title in the men's coxless four Photograph: Steven Paston/Action Images

Great Britain's Katherine Driscoll competes during the trampoline qualification at the North Greenwich Arena Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA

Britain's Andy Murray and his teammate Laura Robson celebrate their victory at the end of their mixed doubles quarter-final match against Australia's Samantha Stosur and Lleyton Hewitt Photograph: Luis Acosta/AFP/Getty Images

Jessica Ennis wins the 800m to secure gold in the heptathlon Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Britain's Daniel Sturridge reacts after missing the decisive penalty during the men's football quarter-final between Britain and South Korea Photograph: Luca Bruno/AP

Britain's Greg Rutherford after winning the men's long jump final Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

Mo Farah crosses the line to win gold in the men's 10,000m Photograph: Anja Niedringhaus/AP