BC-AP London Olympics Digest

The supervisor in London is Mike Corder. Questions concerning the Olympics report should be directed to the New York Sports desk at 800 845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636; agate, ext. 1635. AP stories, along with the photos that accompany them, also can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. Reruns are available from the Service Desk (800 838-4616) or your local AP bureau.

All times EDT.

The London Olympics have concluded. 302 gold medals have been awarded.

TOP STORIES:

MEDALS MILESTONES

LONDON - The competition is over. The United States was best - but the success stories from London truly spanned the globe. The U.S. Olympic team won the most medals, and the most gold, of any country. As for the home team? Riding the wave of home-field advantage, the British put together their best Olympic showing in over a century. By Tim Reynolds. AP Photos. AP Photos OBKO161, NY217, LENT106, OVOL345, OBKO325, OATH178, OTAE306, OBKO268.

- BRAZIL-IMPROVING FOR RIO - Brazil is aiming for a top-10 finish at the 2016 Games in Rio, when athletes will be competing at home backed by unprecedented funding. AP Photos.

CLOSING CEREMONY

LONDON - And now, on to Rio! London brought the curtain down on a hugely entertaining Olympics with a sensational rock 'n roll nostalgia tour of a closing ceremony that thrilled the London night with top-of-the-chart classics, supermodels and psychedelic mayhem. By Paul Haven. AP Photos OLYDP105, OLYCC233, OLYCC213, OLYCC194, OLYCC280, OLYCC256.

COMMENTARY:

OLY--JIM LITKE-081212

LONDON - Commentary on the U.S.-Spain gold-medal basketball game. By Sports Columnist Jim Litke.

OLY--JOHN LEICESTER-081212

LONDON - Commentary on London's nearly three-week extravaganza that closes with a ceremony that's a playlist of British music. By Sports Columnist John Leicester.

OLYMPIC FIXTURES:

OLY--LOOKAHEAD

LONDON - For all those beach volleyball players who thought Horse Guards Parade was the sport's best Olympic venue, wait until the bikinis arrive on the Brazilian sands in four years. "Rio! Rio! Rio!'' shouted one beach volleyball medalist. Yes, the Brazilians have already begun envisioning the 2016 carnival coming to their country. By Janie McCauley.

Also:

- OLY--Eyes on London. Frequently updated feed of news, details and color from around the Olympics.

COMPETITION:

BASKETBALL:

BKO-MEN'S BASKETBALL WRAPUP

LONDON - Kobe Bryant and Mike Krzyzewski are finished. LeBron James isn't sure. After years of stability, the U.S. men's basketball team will have holes to fill before the 2016 Olympics. The Americans will need a new coach and maybe a new core. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney. AP Photos OBKO272, OBKO184, OBKO263, OBKO270, OBKO275. AP Video.

MARATHON:

ATH-MEN'S MARATHON

LONDON - For Stephen Kiprotich, being a relative unknown had an advantage: When the Ugandan runner joined the leaders late in the Olympic marathon, no one really paid that much attention. That was part of his plan - blend in and then take the competition by surprise. He won gold. By Sports Writer Pat Graham. AP Photos OLYMG118, OLYMG109, OLYMG107, OLYMG105, OLYMG108.

- ATH-RUNNER WITHOUT A COUNTRY - Guor Murial, a Sudan refugee who ran independently under the Olympic flag because he couldn't compete under any country, finished the Olympic marathon. AP Photos OLYMG114, OLYMG115, OLYAN101.

BOXING:

BOX-MEN'S FINALS

LONDON - By the time Britain's Anthony Joshua won a thrilling tiebreaker to claim the final gold medal, every fighter from the most successful men's boxing team in Olympic history had already been eliminated for five days. Although middleweight gold medalist Claressa Shields and bronze-winning flyweight Marlen Esparza saved the Americans from going home empty-handed, the nine U.S. men in London are returning with no shiny souvenirs. By Sports Writer Greg Beacham. AP Photos OBOX134, OBOX198, OBOX195, OBOX176.

WATER POLO:

WTP-WRAPUP

LONDON - For the first time in 12 years, Olympic water polo has a new king. Croatia captured its first gold medal in the men's game, bringing an end to three-time defending champion Hungary's domination of the sport since 2000. By Ryan Lucas. AP Photos OLYAJG129, OLYJC141, OLYAJG132, OLYJC145, OLYAJG128, OLYJC133, OLYJC128.