Athletes soak up leaders’ support on Twitter

Diplomacy has got social as the world’s leaders have been furiously tweeting messages of support and congratulations to their athletes throughout London 2012.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos cheered BMX riders Mariana Pajon and Carlos Mario for their respective gold and bronze medals.

20-year-old Pajon, nicknamed “Queen of the BMX”, claimed Colombia’s second ever Olympic gold.

Within seconds of her crossing the finish line, President Santos tweeted: “This achievement elevates the Colombian woman and we are proudly patriotic.”

US President Barack Obama has also been following his national team closely. Earlier this week he took a break from politics to celebrate the Games in his weekly address on Youtube.

“I’ve got to admit, I was bit jealous she got to go,” he said of First Lady Michelle Obama’s trip to London. “But like many of you, I caught as many events as I could – jumping off the couch for a close race or a perfect vault.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has been relentless in support of the Games and the athletes he’s met.

He cheered on Jade Jone’s “terrific show” in the Taekwondo, was “delighted” by “plucky” boxer Nicola Adams and “nearly yelled [him]self hoarse” watching Sir Chris Hoy in the velodrome – all gold medal-winning performances by British athletes.

Johnson also reinforced a contentious claim that table tennis originated in Victorian England under the name of “whiff-whaff”. He posted a photo from the stands of the ExCeL venue, adding: “Whiff whaff comes home.

You can follow athletes via the Official Olympic Hub. Check it out!