THE coronavirus pandemic has led to countless events - including the 2020 Olympic Games - being cancelled, but south Essex played a key role when the Greatest Show on Earth headed to our shores eight years ago.
Hadleigh Park, which had been transformed to create an elite venue with a 4.8km course, welcomed the world’s best mountain bikers who were battling it out for the coveted Olympic gold.
Two days of competition - on August 11 and 12, 2012 - resulted in 40,000 sporting fanatics descending on the town to watch arguably the biggest sporting event ever held in the county.
A visit by Princess Anne, who was on hand to cheer on Team GB, capped a fantastic weekend of sport in south Essex.
Red, white and blue - Oliver Hume, Suzanne Towse, Dawn Arnold, Harry Arnold (at front), Mike Hopkins and Geoff Arnold (left to right)
Olympics fever swept the area as patriotic supporters waved flags, honked horns and dressed in red, white and blue in support of Team GB.
Tickets were at a premium, so hundreds of south Essex residents travelled to the nearby Hadleigh Castle to soak up the sun and atmosphere while enjoying picnics on the downs.
Backing their cyclists - a host of Norwegians headed to south Essex after bagging tickets for the event
Czechia’s Jaroslav Kulhavý won gold in the men’s cross country event as he completed 34.1km in an impressive one hour, 29 minutes and seven seconds.
But it proved to be a nail-biting finish as Nino Schurter, of Switzerland, was just one second adrift and had to settle for the runners-up slot.
Photo finish - thousands watch on as Czechia’s Jaroslav Kulhavý crosses the line to win the men’s cross country mountain bike race at Hadleigh Park
Italy’s Marco Aurelio Fontana also made his way onto the podium, clinching bronze.
Julie Bresset, of France, bagged the bragging rights by triumphing in the women’s event.
Hoping to see the action - James Wardroper tries his luck after arriving at the venue
Sabine Spitz and Georgia Gould, representing Germany and the United States of America respectively, completed the top three.
Team GB’s Annie Last got her hands on eighth spot.
Looking to make use of home advantage - Team GB’s Annie Last tackles the Triple Trouble obstacle during the women’s cross country mountain biking
Once the weekend of Olympic fun ended, work began to transform the venue into a centre which is equally fit for amateurs and the world’s best.
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Home time - spectators leave Hadleigh Park after an action-packed day of watching the world’s leading mountain bikers challenge for Olympic gold
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Scroll down to see more images from when the Olympic Games came to Hadleigh Park.
Brief - Olympic Games volunteers undergo a team meeting before the action gets underway
Fast and furious - Team GB’s Liam Killeen in action during the men’s cross country mountain bike race before crashing out on lap two
Lining the course - 40,000 sports fans headed to Hadleigh Park to see the world-renowned competition head to south Essex
Long distance viewing - binoculars were needed to see some of the action on the 4.8km course
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