The 2012 Olympics, which wrapped up yesterday, turned out to be quite a coup for America — and a few non-Americans are worth noting, too.
For starters, Team USA led in overall medals with 104, and in golds, with 46.
There was a raft of stand-outs.
Let’s start with Aly Raisman, who won two medals in US women’s gymnastics, including gold on the floor routine.
Raisman, who is Jewish, also deserves kudos for calling out the IOC after it nixed a tribute to the 11 Israeli athletes murdered at the Games in Munich 40 years ago.
America dominated in track and field: Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter shattered a 27-year world record in the 4x100m women’s relay.
Individually, Felix and Jeter snagged three medals between them.
The Games also saw a revival in US long-distance running: Galen Rupp took home a silver in the 10,000 meters — America’s first medal at that length since 1964.
Leonel Manzano won silver in the 1,500 meters — equalling Jim Ryun’s historic 1968 showing.
In soccer, the US women beat Japan to win the gold, avenging last year’s heartbreaking World Cup loss.
Predictably, both the men’s and women’s basketball squads also won golds.
Noteworthy non-Americans include Jamaican Usain Bolt, proving again he’s the fastest man alive.
He became the first to win gold in the 100 and 200m in consecutive Olympics — and showed real class off the track, stopping an interview as the US national anthem played.
On Friday, South African “blade runner” Oscar Pistorius, competing on carbon-fiber artificial legs, took the Games into a new era — an inspiration to the entire world.
And, of course, there were the unforgettable performances of superstars like Gabby Douglas, Brooklyn’s Lia Neal and, of course, Michael Phelps.
Americans can surely take pride this year.
And now turn their attention back to their favorite summer pastime: baseball.