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Ian Thorpe, Olympics 2012 - Source: Getty Images -
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Check out a lighter approach to the Olympic games from London.
Thorpedo gets the nod
His choice of outfits raised some eyebrows back home, but Ian Thorpe has received a resounding thumbs up in London for his commentating role during the BBC's Olympic swimming coverage.
The five-time Olympic gold medallist was praised by some within the British press for his expert knowledge, calm mannerism and ability to offset the unwavering patriotism of his fellow hosts.
British newspaper The Independent labelled Thorpe "a class act" and a "charismatic personality, going so far as to award him the silver medal on the "presenters podium" behind BBC anchor host Clare Balding.
Thorpe "cuts straight to the bone" and has "the Australian trait of being incredibly laid back", the paper gushed.
But even fans of the "Thorpedo" took offence to his fashion on screen, with his appearance in a checked jumper leaving viewers on both sides of the world confused.
He also attracted some minor criticism for beginning many of his sentences with "look", a mannerism interpreted by some in Britain as aggressive.
Stamps get over-timers involved
Britons are busy celebrating their record Olympic gold medal haul, but some are working harder than others to mark the occasion.
Spare a thought for the staff at Britain's Royal Mail, who are working overtime to rush out special next-day stamps for each of the six gold medals won by British athletes at the weekend.
The Royal Mail has promised fans that a celebratory stamp will be issued within 24 hours of each British gold medal win.
The mail service says it has never before issued stamps during a Sunday - it would be hard put to find a better reason to break the rule.
Legend rewarded with family time after retirement
Michael Phelps has had a busy Olympics and now he's settling into retirement with some quality family time.
The 27-year-old US swimming star, who won his last-ever Olympic race on Saturday, tweeted on Sunday afternoon that he was spending the day with his family.
"What an amazing day!!!" he wrote, adding that he was with his mother and sisters Hilary and Whitney.
"Gotta love the fam!!!" said the 18-time Olympic gold medallist.
Phelps later posted a photo of himself with his niece, Taylor, and one of his four gold medals from the London Games.
Remote controlled cars; human size
They are electric, radio controlled, pretty nippy and represent a British icon.
They are the three "mini Minis" introduced to the field of play to shuttle javelins, discuses, shots and hammers from the field back to the throwing area.
BMW say that the vehicles - approximately a quarter scale of the full sized version - will save valuable time during the competition.
Specially trained Gamesmakers are operating the cars, though it appears they all need a little practice.
One drove into a microphone and distance marker on Saturday evening, knocking them askew.
However, it doesn't sound like it is all hard work for the little cars who are expected to cover about 6-kilometres per four-hour shift.
A member of the stadium staff said when everyone had left on Friday night the mini Minis were seen racing each other down the athletics track.
Trott gets double the reward
Laura Trott, Britain's Olympic gold medal-winning track cyclist, will have two mailboxes painted in her honour after the country's Royal Mail postal service mixed up her place of birth.
The Royal Mail is painting one of its famous red post boxes gold in the home town of each of Britain's gold medal winners.
But after the postal service decorated a box in Harlow, in eastern England, Trott said her birthplace was actually 22km away in Cheshunt.
She mobilised her followers on Twitter to lobby the Royal Mail.
It quickly responded and said the cyclist would be honoured with not one but two golden post boxes.
