Viewers, listeners and readers revelled in the contests and marvelled at the skill, power, strength, speed and grace. They shared the triumphs and the disappointments, and witnessed a spectrum of emotional highs and lows, all up close. From the tiniest gymnast to the heftiest weightlifter, from Asians, Africans, Americans, Europeans to the competitors from Oceania, a smorgasbord of athletes was on show.
Track and field - the fundamentals of running, jumping and throwing - remains the centrepiece, and it is here the world's great sporting superstar, Usain Bolt, strutted his stuff. The commentators label his latest feat the double triple - the 100m, 200m and four by 100m relay in successive Olympics. Cometh the hour, cometh the bolt from Jamaica.
Momentous, too, in its own way was the sight of a slight figure in headscarf and long trousers far behind the field in an 800m heat.
Sarah Attar was Saudi Arabia's first Olympic runner. She represented progress in one of the most chauvinistic societies anywhere.
Mention, too, has to be made of swimmer Michael Phelps, now the holder of 22 Olympic medals.
The Olympics proclaims high-flying ideals of "excellence, friendship and respect". The movement aims "to build a better world through sport". Given the corruption, the history of drugs, the rampant and sometimes ugly nationalism, the commercialisation and the undue pressures and lives manipulated, it is easy to scoff at tarnished gold, silver and bronze. But, for all that, the Games do bring people across local communities, nations and the world together in shared enterprise.
They provide an antidote, albeit temporary, from the wars and worries, the cares and the crises.
Cultures have always yearned for festivals and contests. And citizens have always looked up to champions - be they David or Goliath, Pele, Tiger Woods or Sir Edmund Hillary. Once this might have been in and among villages.
These days, with the boost of saturation coverage, this takes place once every four years - and with increasing emphasis and exposure - in our global village.
Many who usually care little for sport are among the hundreds of millions who take an interest. For two weeks, the glories of international sport and international sports men and women shine forth.
London, that most cosmopolitan and historic of cities, was a central star this year, with Team GB's success helping propel genuine and extensive enthusiasm. Significant problems were remarkably infrequent, organisation top-notch and even the weather, while at times patchy, mostly co-operated.
It helped for New Zealanders, naturally, that these Games were highly successful on that key performance indicator, medals. The largest haul (Seoul, 1988) was equalled, with two additional golds adding lustre this time.
Our vicarious pride is bolstered as we feel with and for our representatives. How nice, too, that various Olympians come from small towns; like canoeing gold medal winner Lisa Carrington (Whakatane) or BMX silver medallist Sarah Walker (Kawerau). How special that minority sports can shine in their moments in the sun.
These golden Games have exceeded expectations not just for New Zealanders but overall. Competition has been remarkably free of spite or bad behaviour. Crowds have been large and boisterous.
Britain put its character stamp on the Games, and it always was going to have a different flavour from Beijing four years ago.
Thoughts now turn to Rio de Janeiro and 2016. No doubt, Brazil will bring fresh and distinct vibrancy. Each place needs to find its own mojo for Games success to carry on.
New Zealand needs to continue to aim high and do well, even if this year' s haul will be tough to repeat.
But whatever this country's results, the spectacular extravaganza that is the Olympics is thriving. It offers much to us and to others around the globe.
