The curtains have come down in Rio de Janiero Brazil and just like that the 31st Olympiad is officially over. The 2016 Olympics was definitely worth the wait and the thought of waiting another four years for Tokyo 2020 is painful. While there were countless moments of sheer excellence, here are 10 golden moments that stood out for me.1. Usain Bolt sealing the title of GOAT2. Elaine Thompson copping the sprint double3. Omar McLeod being the first Jamaican to win the 110m hurdles at the Olympics

If one is ever asked ‘Who is the greatest sprinter of all time?’ there can be no hesitation to respond Usain Saint Leo Bolt. Bolt has achieved the unprecedented feat of securing a total of nine gold medals in sprint events. He went to Rio with the intention of securing an Olympic title in the 100m and 200m sprints for the third time, as well as copping a third gold in the 4x100m relays. Usain did that in fine style and now leaves with his legacy unmatched. We should feel privileged to have witnessed Bolt’s career, one that will be etched in history books.

Elaine is no stranger to track and field fans. She copped convincing medals at the World Championships and we waited to see what she could do on the biggest stage. Well, Elaine didn’t disappoint, she became only the second woman in history to win both the 100m and 200m in the same Olympics. Elaine is already showing up to be one of the greats, so Tokyo 2020 should be filled with even more greatest from her.

Watching him in the heats leading up to the finals, one had a good feeling that he would make it to the medal podium. He was the favourite for the event but the unforgiving nature of hurdles made the finals even more nerve-wracking. However, McLeod hurdled with confidence and power and made history.4. Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce copping medals with her injury5. Wayde van Niekerk breaking the 400m record6. Javon Francis anchoring the 4x400m7.  The Jamaican veterans who medalled8. Andre Degrasse making history for Canada9. Mohamed Farah writing history10. Team Jamaica

My favourite word to describe Shelly Ann is “pryceless”. She exudes excellence and humility all at the same time. This Olympics, she managed to win a bronze medal in the 100m and a silver in the 4x100m relay despite having a less than stellar season and an awful toe injury. For this and all that she accomplished she bows out of the Rio Olympics as one of the greats.

This was definitely a moment to remember for anyone who loves track and field. The 23 year old South African stormed down the track passing Kirani James and Lashawn Merritt to smash the 17 year old record set by Michael Johnson to clock 43.03s. He ran an thrilling race and the record was just a bonus.

It felt like it was just yesterday that Javon ‘Donkey Man’ Francis dazzled the crowd at Champs and just like that he anchored the Jamaican 4x400m team to a silver medal. Just when it seemed that we might not win a medal, Francis saved the day once again, running an excellent leg. Can’t wait to see him in action Tokyo 2020.

Veronica Campbell Brown first graced the Olympic stage in 2000 in Sydney and have since then she has accomplished a lot. She formed a member of the women 4x100m relay team which managed a silver medal. Novlene Williams Mills, who is a cancer survivor, returned to the Olympics to anchor the Jamaican 4x400m team to a silver medal. It’s sad to see them go.

Jamaicans seemed to have adopted Degrasse as their very own after seeing the friendship between himself and Usain Bolt on the track. The 21-year-old created history for Canada and will return home with three medals. His boldness on the track as he ran alongside veterans and legends shows that we haven’t seen the last of him.

Mo Farah made history by defending his title in the 5000m and 10000m for the second time. We watched him literally stumble and still end up copping the gold. He is now one of Great Britain’s greatest. He was a pleasure to watch and it was hard not to root for Mo.

Watching all of Team Jamaica going out and representing was a golden moment in itself. We watched our runners blaze the tracks and the other athletes go into unfamiliar territory like diving and gymnastics. I don’t doubt that they tried their very best. Many who didn’t cop a medal left Rio with a season’s best or personal best and you can’t honestly ask for more.