Yearender: Olympic farewells

Abhinav Bindra made a billion people proud when he claimed India's first and only individual gold medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008. Ahead of the Rio Games, the 10m Air Rifle shooter said that it will be his final tournament. Bindra fought hard and till the end, but his journey ended when he finished 4th in the finals of the 10m Air Rifle event.

The most decorated British Olympian, Sir Bradley Wiggins, has won a total of eight medals at the Olympic Games. He has won five gold medals, one silver and two bronze at both the track and road events. After winning gold at the 2016 Olympic Games, Wiggins announced that he will retire at the end of the year.

Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history. Before the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Phelps had 18 gold, two silver and two bronze medals from 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games. Phelps had retired after London Games. However, the American announced that he was making an Olympic comeback. Participating in six events at the Rio Games — the 100m and 200m butterfly, 200m medley, 4x100m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle, 4x100m medley — Phelps won five gold medals. He won the silver medal in 100m butterfly.

Tamika Catchings has stood atop the podium at four Olympic Games as part of the all-conquering USA women's basketball team. Catchings confirmed her retirement after the Rio Olympics, stating: "I will be retiring in 2016, Lord willing, if my body holds up. Although I plan to step away as a player that is not to say I'll step away from the game, hopefully. I am so thankful and blessed to have had an opportunity to play the game I have loved for so long."

Considered as the greatest athlete of all time, Usain Bolt, holds an unparalleled record at the Olympic Games. Bolt has nine gold medals from three consecutive games. He has won gold medals in 100m, 200m, and 4X100 m relay in 2008, 2012 and 2016. Bolt will retire from athletics in 2017 after the World Championships.

The greatest female pole vaulter of all time Yelena Isinbayeva has two gold and one bronze from three Olympics Games — two golds in 2004 and 2008, and a bronze in 2012. However, she was not allowed to bid a proper adieu at the Rio Games as Russian track and field athletes were not allowed to participate at the Games due to a blanket ban for alleged doping. On August 19, 2016, Isinbayeva announced her retirement, stating: "I'm very happy that I fulfilled my dreams, I won all possible medals, all possible titles."

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Abhinav Bindra made a billion people proud when he claimed India's first and only individual gold medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008. Ahead of the Rio Games, the 10m Air Rifle shooter said that it will be his final tournament. Bindra fought hard and till the end, but his journey ended when he finished 4th in the finals of the 10m Air Rifle event.