Of 37 medals won by the end of Sunday, there was a 23-12 split in favour of GB’s men, with two silver medals also coming in the mixed doubles tennis and mixed team eventing.
Yet, along with Andy Murray after his revenge victory over Roger Federer, some of the defining images of London 2012 have come from the country’s female athletes.
Bradley Wiggins, Sir Chris Hoy and Ben Ainslie may be among the most decorated Olympians from these isles but the achievements and personalities of Ennis, Rebecca Adlington, Victoria Pendleton and Gemma Gibbons have drawn us to them.
“I think the change at this Olympics has been the high-profile success of female athletes and the attention that has been given to the way they have dedicated their lives to sport,” says BBC Sport’s Clare Balding.
“I’m so thrilled that these strong, confident, competitive women are standing on the podium.
“It’s hugely inspirational, particularly to teenage girls. You are seeing so many different body shapes and different types of women.”
Not only have women provided perfect examples for those encouraging girls to take up sport, they have also been the leaders of the GB pack.
