PHOTOS | Top moments from the Rio Olympics

#DeBolt was the beginning of something special.

A bromance was born the moment sprinters Andre De Grasse and Usain Bolt crossed the finish line in the 100-metre semi-final, eyes locked and grinning. It was a coming of age moment that proved the 21-year-old Canadian could hang.

The exchange spawned a hashtag that trended worldwide but the brotherly love faded when De Grasse pushed Bolt in the 200-metre semi and all but disappeared in the final when Bolt got down to the serious business of securing his legacy as the most dominant sprinter ever.

(Kevin Light/CBC)

Bolt’s words and actions in Rio hinted at a passing of the torch. If De Grasse is the one to pick it up, he will need to stand alone in order to bring the title of world’s fastest man back to Canada. For now, Bolt holds the title and the selfie-worthy admiration of the world.

That’s heptathlon medallists Nafissatou Thiam, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Brianne Theisen-Eaton.

(Matthias Hangst/Getty)

Ashton Eaton rose above the haters.

The U.S. decathlete faced some drama online after being spotted in the stands sporting a Canada cap, which he donned in support of his heptathlete wife Brianne Theisen-Eaton. He rose above the haters and won a medal, as did Theisen-Eaton. 

(Kyodo News via Getty)

Eaton even hugged it out with Canadian Damian Warner, who won decathlon bronze, after the 1,500-metre race, the last of the 10-sport event.

(Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty)

Brownlee brothers celebrated, Hahner sisters not so much.

The British siblings Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee finished in first and second in the men’s triathlon. They celebrated hand-in-hand on the finish line. German twins Lisa and Anna Hahner did the same when they finished the marathon in 81st and 82nd place (well off their personal best times) earning harsh criticism from the German athletics federation that likened their performance to a “fun run” stunt — an allegation the sister’s deny.

(Alexander Hassenstein/Getty)

Winning didn’t always mean finishing first.

New Zealand middle-distance runner Nikki Hamblin’s touching display of sportsmanship in a 5,000-metre heat showed the world what the Olympic spirit looks like. After colliding with American Abbey D’Agostino, Hamblin stopped and helped the injured runner cross the line. They finished out of contention but were awarded spots in the final. Hamblin finished in 17th with a season-best time of 16:14.24. 

(Patrick Smith/Getty)

On the subject of sportsmanship, lets not forget race walker Evan Dunfee. He finished fourth after a collision with Hirooki Arai but turned down an opportunity to counter-appeal for a bronze medal saying the Japanese walker was just as deserving. He tweeted this picture at the closing ceremony to prove there was no bad blood.

(Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty)

Sometimes a selfie is so much more.

That was the case when South Korean gymnast Lee Eun-ju stopped North Korea’s Hong Un-jong for a cellphone shot complete with smiles and a peace sign.

Its being called the photo of the Games and many online hold it up as a symbol of the Olympic spirit. If it will resonate positively in the gymnasts’ respective homes is yet to be seen. The next Olympics are in Pyongchang, South Korea, in 2018.

(Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

Michael Phelps stayed golden in his last Olympics.

Phelps won his 23rd gold medal (he’s got 28 including the other colours) in Rio. He came out with bravado, showing the world on his fingers how many times he had won the 200-metre IM, and finished with a tear in his eye when he exited the Olympic pool deck likely for the last time.

(Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty)

Phelps even lost gracefully, ceding the gold in the 100-metre butterfly to breakout Singapore swimmer Joseph Schooling, who set a new record in the process.

(Adam Pretty/Getty)

The case of the mysterious green dive pool.

The water in the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre dive tank went from blue to green. Speculation as to why swirled. Spokespeople said the pH was off but weren’t quite able to clear it up. Regardless, neither the colour, nor the smell, prevented China from absolutely dominating. 

(Kyodo News via Getty)

In another unusual turn of events…

These Mongolian wresting coaches protested the loss of a bronze medal on an official’s call with a good old-fashioned strip down. Watch the video. Marvel in their defiance.

(Laurence Griffiths/Getty)

Pita Taufatofua went shirtless, too.

Tonga’s flag-bearer was one of the first stars of the Rio Games after appearing in the opening ceremony wearing not much more than coconut oil.

( Harry How/Getty)

Meanwhile, Ryan Lochte ‘over-exaggerated’ a robbery claim.

The gold medal-winning swimmer apologized for “immature behaviour” that got him and three teammates into a mess over a trashed gas station washroom.

(Harry How/Getty)

At least six couples said ‘yes’ at the Games.

There were several marriage proposals at the Rio Games (including one on the podium) but this one between a Brazilian rugby player and her fiancée, who was volunteering at the venue, stands out as an endearing image of life outside of competition.

(Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters)

‘We are ahead by a century.’

Gord Downie said it best and Penny Oleksiak proved it in the pool. The 16-year-old swimmer from Toronto had a breakout performance in Rio winning the full spectrum of medal colours and the honour of carrying the flag in the closing ceremony. That last word goes to her:

“I’ve never been more proud to be a Canadian.”

(Lucas Oleniuk/Toronto Star/Getty)

Here’s a list of some more highlights from the Rio Games.