While the history books will record that an unbelievable swimmer won eight gold medals and a bloke became the fastest man on earth while looking like he didn’t leave second gear there are a few other moments that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Matthias Steiner, a German weightlifter in the ‘open’ category of those who weigh more than 105kg, had lost his young wife of three years in a car accident. When he made the German team the first thing he did is visit his wife’s grave. It was one of the most emotional and dramatic finishes to any of the Beijing events when he celebrated winning a gold medal and becoming the strongest guy in the world after lifting 248kg above his head.

Emma Snowhill had lost her boyfriend in a tragic accident and missed the World Championships before Athens and thus wasn’t selected to compete in the the Triathon in 2004. She had an opportunity to race in the NZ colours but refused. She would have watched the race on television as an Australian crossed the line first, but who won the gold for Greece. But from all that she was there on the dias in 2008 with a gold medal around her neck singing the Australian national anthem.

And don’t forget Kenenisa Bekele, who also has had tragedy in his past. The Kenyan had won gold in Athens in the 10,000 and silver in the 5,000 and this year had his chance to make history, vowing to clinch from his teammate and friend the great Hail Gabreilsesse, the title of the greatest distance runner of all time. And he did, winning the 5,000m and 10,000m gold medals.

And of course there are the ones we did hear about, Anna Meares, Matthew Mitcham and the humility of Grant Hackett winning a silver medal to go with his two golds in the same event.

Yes there were the controversies and the dramas and the usual criticisms when we don’t win as much gold as we expect/demand. There are the usual arguments of whether the Olympic ideal is dead. But there was plenty of things that came out of Beijing to remind us of why it’s the greatest sporting event on the planet.