SPORTS YEAR IN REVIEW
Did that really happen? Are you ready to relive the most mind-blowing, earth-shattering, mystifying, serious and seriously sublime sports moments of the past year? This week SI.com takes a look back at the wild and woolly year in sports and ranks the best of the best from 2012. Also included are Richard Deitsch's 2012 Media Awards; sport-by-sport picks for favorite story of the year, as chosen by SI.com writers; and photo galleries featuring the breakout athletes of 2012, games of the year and photos of the year.
2012
USAIN BOLT becomes first to win back-to-back 100m and 200m Olympic titles
MICHAEL PHELPS becomes most decorated Olympian ever
LEBRON'S HISTORIC YEAR NBA Title, MVP, Olympic Gold, SI Sportsman
The overnight rise of LINSANITY
NOTRE DAME returns to glory (for real this time)
REPLACEMENT REFS' GAFFES Golden Tate's controversial touchdown
ELI MANNING-MARIO MANNINGHAM Super Bowl XLVI's dynamic duo