Green pools to golden kisses: 10 memorable moments at Rio 2016

The British gold rush at Rio 2016 will live long in the memory as Team GB claimed second place in the medal table ahead of China.

But the Games also conjured up many incidents - both heroic and controversial - that got people talking during the sporting fortnight in Brazil.

Here's 10 memorable moments from the Games:

1. Michael Phelps' death stare

While four of his fellow American swimmers would leave Rio in shame after the false robbery scandal, the most decorated Olympian in history had a fifth and final Games to remember.

Michael Phelps claimed five more gold medals in Brazil, taking his Olympic total to 28, but also delivered the event's most famous pre-race act of intimidation as his "death stare" at rival Chad le Clos became an instant social media favourite.

2. Brazil's golden girl

Rafaela Silva was mobbed as she claimed Brazil's first gold of the home Games. Credit: Reuters

Hailing from a favela in Rio's City of God neighbourhood, Rafaela Silva enjoyed redemption story glory as she claimed Brazil's first gold medal at the home Games.

Silva had been pilloried by racists after being disqualified at London 2012 but fought her way to an emotional victory in the 57kg judo.

3. The green 'accident' in the diving pool

Divers were forced to descend into murky green water after an official error. Credit: Reuters

The Olympic diving pool's overnight transition from the pure blue to lurid green days into Rio 2016 left competitors and spectators baffled.

Water testing confirmed the water remained clean but diving training was postponed until it returned to its usual shade, while jokes abounded about the unhappy "accident" in the pool.

A dumping of hydrogen peroxide was later blamed for the discolouring.

4. Judoka's handshake refusal

Islam El Shehaby, left, was sent home for failing to shake his victor's hand. Credit: Reuters

Islam El Shehaby of Egypt made headlines at Rio 2016 for a single act of bad sportsmanship as he refused to shake the hand of Israel's Os Sasson after defeat in the men's judo.

While his act of defiance broke no sporting rules, the International Olympic Committee confirmed he was sent home by his team as they condemned him for breaching the "rules of fair play" and "spirit of friendship".

El Shehaby later reportedly said: "I have no problem with Jewish people or any other religion or different beliefs. But for personal reasons, you can't ask me to shake the hand of anyone from this State (of Israel), especially in front of the whole world."

5. Sir Bradley gets tongues wagging on the podium

Sir Bradley sent his team-mates, Owain Doull, Ed Clancy and Steven Burke, in hysterics on the podium. Credit: PA

Knight of the Realm he may be, but Sir Bradley Wiggins was still happy to goof around during the national anthem as he collected a fifth gold alongside his men's team pursuit colleagues.

The cycling hero's instinctive decision to stick his tongue out on the podium garnered a mixed response on Twitter.

6. Usain Bolt is smiles better than his rivals

Reuters photographer Kai Pfaffenbach captured the image of the Games. Credit: Reuters

Reuters photographer Kai Pfaffenbach claimed the image of the Games with his capturing of a grinning Usain Bolt far clear of his 100m rivals.

The celebrated shot was taken during the men's semi-finals but served to underline the Jamaican's style in victory as he proved unrivalled on his way to another gold in the final.

The beaming shot of Bolt became widely shared online, though US presenter Ellen faced a backlash for her doctoring of the photo.

7. Michael Johnson's 17-year 400m record ends

Wayde van Niekerk made history at Rio's Olympic Stadium. Credit: Reuters

Wayde van Niekerk made history at Rio's Olympic Stadium as he clocked a world record time in the 400m men's final.

The 24-year-old South African came home in 43.03 seconds - the equivalent of four 100m runs of 10.75 seconds - to break Michael Johnson's 17-year-old record of 43.18 seconds.

The American legend was left stunned but full of praise for the new record holder.

"Oh my god. From lane eight, a world record," Johnson said in his role as BBC pundit. "That was a massacre from Wayde van Niekerk, he just put those guys away."

8. Shaunae Miller dives to gold in the 400m

Shaunae Miller's dive ensured she crossed the finish line just ahead of Allyson Felix. Credit: Reuters

Many medals were decided by photo finishes at the Games, but none proved as memorable as Shaunae Miller's dive to the line.

The 22-year-old Bahamian had led the women's 400m final going into the final strides but came under huge pressure from USA's Allyson Felix.

Miller responded with a desperate dive that pipped her opponent by 0.07 seconds to claim gold.

Despite being entirely legitimate, debate raged over the nature of the victory.

9. Mo Farah's pride after a fall

After his early fall in the 10,000m final, Mo Farah was forced off balance as he began his defence of his 5,000m title. Credit: Reuters

Mo Farah leaves Rio as a "double double" Olympic hero but the road to victory presented several obstacles for the distance running great.

"At one moment I thought my dream was over, my race was over," he said, reflecting on his hard early fall that almost halted his victory run in the 10,000m final.

Farah faced more near-misses on his way to 5,000m gold but stayed on track to defend both titles he won at London 2012.

10. Trott and Kenny seal golden night with a kiss

Team GB's king and queen of the velodrome gave the photographers what they wanted. Credit: PA

Team GB's golden couple Laura Trott and Jason Kenny sealed their victories in the velodrome with a kiss as they took their combined gold medal tallies into double figures.

Trott became the first British woman to win four Olympic gold medals, while her partner Kenny equaled Sir Chris Hoy's British record of six Olympic gold medals.

The duo later angrily defended sniping criticism of Team GB's track cycling dominance, saying they would leave Rio with a "clear conscience".