This time last year London was in tatters. After four days of rioting on its streets, iconic buildings had been burned to the ground, black hollowed-out cars lined the pavements and, despite valiant attempts by an army of cleanup volunteers, shops were still boarded up. London looked shabby and unprepared for the world stage of the 2012 Olympics.
Internationally and on home turf there was a ripple of worries for how this image of London would impact on the Games, as well as questions about how prepared London was for the security feat and influx of visitors.
But to the pride (and to some extent surprise) of many, London has come out of the Olympics shining brightly, with transport and logistical failures staying largely out of the headlines and of course the cheer of the volunteers uplifting the view of London and the UK to visitors, tourists and those attending the Games.
Danny Boyle's idiosyncratic and very British opening ceremony, an unexpected and enduring bout of sunshine, and an empty London leaving the attractions free for tourists and Olympians alike to enjoy might have also helped big the city up from this time a year ago.
Here is the view from some Guardian readers on how the image of London has changed over the Games:
This time last year London was on fire and police were struggling to control the riots... When the next day I saw images of thousands of Londoners clearing the streets and stories of people defending homes and businesses, it moved me as it made me remember that the majority still want a better society.
I volunteered at the olympics this year, the feeling of representing our city alongside some truly lovely individuals has been amazing. The most diverse group of people, all different backgrounds, but with one purpose and attitude. The mood of Londoners and visitors to our city is so positive, people chatting and helping each other.
As the centre for something big, London's multicultural complexion leaves one feeling unusually chuffed about a place which is routinely so ugly. I've always liked it for its melting pot credentials, if not for many others. We do need to pinch ourselves, though, because London is nothing like the rest of the British Isles.
Share your best London Games snap
It's not just Olympians who have been enjoying London's sights and sharing their holiday moments with us on social media – tourists and even Londoners have been sporting Team GB T-shirts and snapping themselves in front of London's skyline to join in the Olympics celebrations too.
Share your "Olympics in London" pictures with us via our Olympics Flickr group – from the tourist snap on the London Eye or outside Big Ben, to cracking open the bubbly in front of the big screen in Victoria Park – we want to see your best picture of London's Olympics from the last two weeks.
Now we want to hear from you - own international commenters and those who have visited London from UK and abroad during the Games. How has your view of the city changed? For better or for worse, new visitor or old returner? Londoners, what do you think the Olympics has done for the city? Leave a comment in the section below
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