Michael Phelps of the United States retired as the most successful Olympic athlete of all time after winning five more gold medals in Rio to make it a career total of 23. Now he plans to marry his fiancé, Nicole (right) and spend more time with his young son Boomer (second from right).

Usain Bolt completed his "triple triple," winning gold in the 100-meter dash, the 200 meters and the 4x100 relay - just as he had done in Bejing in 2008 and London in 2012. These were the last Olympics for the Jamaican sprinting legend. "It's a relief but I'm also sad that I have to leave," he said when it was all over.

German gymnast Fabian Hambüchen wrapped up his last international competition by winning his first Olympic gold in the horizontal bar. This completed his collection after he took silver in London four years ago and bronze in Beijing in 2008. After the competition, Hambüchen decided to try to purchase the horizontal bar that he had won gold on. In the end, he was given it for free.

Simone Biles, 19, was the most successful women's gymnast in Rio, winning the gold medal in the women's all-around, vault and floor exercise, as well as bronze in the balance beam.

Germany's Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst dethroned the Brazilian beach volleyballers in the own backyard, Copacabana beach. They beat the world champions Agatha Bednarczuk and Barbara Seixas two sets to none in the final, becoming the first European women to win a medal in the sport.

The German team were shaken in the early days of the Games by the loss of slalom canoe coach Stefan Henze. The 35-year-old was killed in the crash of a taxi that he was a passenger in.

Andreas Toba ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee during the floor exercise in the men's team qualifying but soldiered on, competing on the pommel horse after his knee had been wrapped. This helped Germany finish in eighth place, thus qualifying for the final.

The water in the pools used for diving and the swimming competitions suddenly turned from crystal blue to an algae-looking green. Organizers said a contractor had added hydrogen peroxide to the pools, which neutralized the chlorine and allowed algae to bloom. "We were not consulted, our contractor's failure is our failure," said Gustavo Nascimento, Rio 2016's director of venue management.

The stands were often half full but they were packed and boisterous when Brazilian athletes were involved - and they weren't always kind to their opponents. French pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie compared the booing he was subjected to, to the treatment of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Games in Berlin. He later apologized for the comment.

A number of athletes spoke out about doping, particularly in view of the fact that almost all oft he Russians were allowed to compete in Rio, despite evidence of systematic, state-sponsored doping revealed in a WADA-commissioned report. Yuliya Efimova who recently returned to the sport after being suspended for doping, was jeered when accepting both of her silvers on the medals podium.

The latest trend? Proposing at the Games! Rugby stadium manager Marjorie Enya got things started three days in when she proposed on the field to her girlfriend, Isadora Cerullo, who plays rugby sevens for Brazil. Later, diving bronze medalist Qin Kai proposed to He Zi as she stepped off the podium after winning silver in the women's springboard final.