London 2012 Olympics: the art of the gymnastics men's rings – in pictures

Kristian Thomas shines on his – and Britain's – way to team bronze Photograph: Joe Toth/BPI/Corbis Photograph: Joe Toth/ Joe Toth/BPI/Corbis Germany's Fabian Hambuchen shows the strain Photograph: BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS China's Guo Weiyang can't bear to look Photograph: BRIAN SNYDER/Reuters Jonathan Horton of the US bulges his biceps Photograph: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images Another member of the US team, Jacob Dalton, performs one of the most difficult skills, the crucifix Photograph: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images Japan's Yusuke Tanaka is a picture of concentration Photograph: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images Chen Yibing, the 2008 individual gold medallist, shows the rest how it's done with a score of 15.800 as he helps China retain their team title Photograph: Julie Jacobson/AP Japan's Koji Yamamuro dismounts the rings ... Photograph: Julie Jacobson/AP ... as does Britain's Daniel Purvis Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images