Instagram is going for gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Athletes are sharing behind-the-scenes photos that take their followers inside the Games like never before. Fans are posting shots from a wide range of Olympics venues, giving a piece of the experience to others not lucky enough to be in London. Media members are sharing candid pictures too, in addition to their more typical news-gathering duties.
And they're all 'Gramming in record numbers. So far, more than 65,000 publicly viewable Instagram photos have been shared from the Olympics, according to the social media tracking tool VenueSeen. More than 25,000 of those have used the #olympics hashtag, and more 10,000 have used #london2012. Olympic Stadium is the venue people have shared from most, followed by the Aquatics Centre and Basketball Arena.
We sifted through VenueSeen's Olympics Pinterest board to find 12 of the very best shots posted by fans, athletes and media so far. Among our picks: a breathtaking setting for beach volleyball, fans who take wearing their national pride to a whole new level, some delicious treats, and candid shots of superstars Usain Bolt and Natalie Coughlin.
SEE ALSO: The USA Basketball Team's Instagram Shots Are Ridiculously Awesome [PICS]
But Instagram is just one of many social networks affecting the 2012 Olympics in unprecedented ways. The International Olympic Committee launched an athletes' hub this spring to connect fans with official social profiles of past and current Olympians. The London 2012 organizing committee has used Twitter to share awesome, unexpected shots of competitive events. And two British athletes diver Tom Daley and weightlifter Zoe Smith have publicly outed Twitter trolls in dramatic fashion.
What are the best Instagram shots you've seen from these Olympics? Share them with us in the comments below.
BONUS GALLERY: The Must-Follow Olympians on Twitter
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Jones, whose social media success we profiled in May, is the standard bearer for Olympians on Twitter. She's honest, hilarious, tweets often, and is a world class hurdler for the United States.
A member of the American men's basketball team, Love is one of the NBA's cleverest players on Twitter. He should be an entertaining follow in London.
Bolt will be one of the Olympics' biggest stars. The Jamaican sprinter recently told us about his interest in tech and social media. He shares photos often on Twitter.
Mata helped Spain to the Euro 2012 title earlier this summer and will look to follow that up with an Olympic championship in August. He tweets in English and Spanish.
The Danish tennis star is engaging on Twitter, frequently posting her training and status updates. Even better, she dates pro golfer Rory Mcilroy both are terrific follows when the other is competing.
The top women's basketball player in the world suits up for the United States. Parker is active, humorous and down-to-earth on social media.
The American swimmer told us in May that he uses social media to boost his visibility and marketing potential. His lighthearted tweets and frequent interactions with fans on Twitter helped him pick up sponsors like BMW and Got Chocolate Milk.
A wrestler for the United States, Burroughs' frequent updates, enthusiasm and humor have helped him rack up more than 20,000 followers. His handle, @alliseeisgold, is pretty cool too.
Meichtry swims for Switzerland and is betrothed to American swimmer Jessica Hardy. He's enthusiastic about sharing the Olympic experience with followers.
The American middle-distance runner spoke to us in June. He is super active on Twitter and is an outspoken advocate for Olympians' rights to market themselves, despite IOC restrictions.
Perhaps the 2012 Olympics' biggest celebrity, James won his first NBA title with the Miami Heat in June and will look to follow up in London with his second gold medal. He took time off Twitter during the NBA Playoffs, but will likely be much more active during the summer games.
The soccer prodigy tweets mostly in Portuguese, but should be a fun follow as he tries to lead Brazil to its first Olympic title.
An American swimmer, Coughlin is super friendly, funny and accessible on Twitter.
In May, it was reported that Adlington would forsake Twitter in London because of cruel social media trolls. But the swimmer said she could never give up the microblogging network, and looks to be a solid follow as the Olympics visit her home country.
A star diver for Australia, Mitcham is one of the games' few high profile openly gay competitors.
The United States women's soccer team's erstwhile goalkeeper is a great follow for soccer fans and non-fans alike.
Ginobili tweets largely in Spanish, but the basketball star is still worth your attention. You'll love his sheer joy representing Argentina and respect his obvious pride for his country. And really, that's what the Olympics are all about.
The American swimmer and rising marketing juggernaut is generous about interacting with followers and providing a glimpse inside the life of a London superstar.
Powell is one of a handful of incredible Jamaican sprinters. He frequently posts slice-of-life photos and as evidenced by the screenshot at left is religious about replying to fans and well wishers.
Still just a teen, the British diver is already a celebrity in the UK. He's smart about using social media to his advantage.
Nicknamed "Blade Runner," the South African runner has prosthetic lower legs. He will become the first double-amputee to ever compete in the Olympics (he'll also participate in the Paralympics). On Twitter, he frequently provides training updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses while inspiring his more than 50,000 followers.
The Australian swimmer responds to followers, posts plenty of photos and speaks her mind sometimes to a fault.
A favorite follow for many Olympic fans, American gymnast Liukin will be a major star in London for NBC after unexpectedly failing to make the U.S. team.
The Serbian tennis powerhouse is favored to win in London. He's more active on Twitter than some of the sport's other stars.
Sullivan is an Australian sprint swimmer. He has more than 24,000 followers, but tweets pretty much like any other normal dude.
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