In Pictures: Parents of Olympians pray, cry, cheer from the stands

As their children put in the performance of their lives at the greatest show on earth, parents undergo a gamut of emotions watching from the stands. Here's a look at some of the reactions from the mothers and fathers of athletes at Rio.

Updated

Published

Aug 10, 2016, 09:18 PM

Michael Phelps of the US (left) kisses his son Boomer next to his partner Nicole Johnson (right) and mother Deborah (centre) after he won the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Aug 9, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Michael Phelps of the US (right) goes to see his mother Deborah (left), his fiancee Nicole Johnson (not pictured) and their son Boomer after he won the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Aug 9, 2016. PHOTO: EPA

Michael Phelps' mother Deborah (centre) and partner Nicole Johnson (right) cheer after he won the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Aug 9, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Argentina's Bruno Lima Basolu hugs his father after his team won the men's qualifying volleyball match between Russia and Argentina at the Maracanazinho stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug 9, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

China's Zhang Jike's coach and father Zhang Chuanming cheers his son during a men's singles qualification round table tennis match at the Riocentro venue in Rio de Janeiro on Aug 8, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Fans including John Armistead (second from left), father of Britain's cyclist Elizabeth Armitstead wait for the start of the Women's road cycling race at Fort Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro on Aug 7, 2016. Armitstead finished in fifth place. PHOTO: AFP

Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom's parents, Goran (left) and Jenny Sjostrom (second from left) celebrate after she broke the World Record and won gold in the Women's 100m Butterfly Final on Aug 7, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Allison Schmitt of the USA (centre-left) hugs her mother Gail Schmitt (centre-right) in the stands after the medal ceremony for the women's 4x200m Freestyle relay Final race of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Swimming events at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug 10, 2016. PHOTO: EPA

Gold medalist Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain (left) hugs her father Jose Belmonte (right) in the stands after the medal ceremony for the women's 200m Butterfly final race of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug 10, 2016. PHOTO: EPA

Gold medalist Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain (left) hugs her father Jose Belmonte (right) in the stands after the medal ceremony for the women's 200m Butterfly final race of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug 10, 2016. PHOTO: EPA

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