OF COURSE it is one of the oldest clichés around that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Like all well worn sayings its meaning has become diluted with over use.

But have a look at the picture on this page of the final of the women’s rugby sevens between Canada and Great Britain.

There is evidence that revives the old saying, a superb example of its meaning.

As Canada celebrate winning the bronze medal to the left of the picture, in utter despair, is Worthing rugby star Amy Wilson Hardy.

The contrast could not be starker. In fact I defy you to actually write a thousand words that improve on what you actually see in the picture. As a photographer I would say that I suppose.

It’s a brilliant picture taken by Geoff Burke of American newspaper USA Today, a sister paper of The Argus.

I bet you Geoff was delighted when he saw the joyous huddle of the Canadians. It would have made a great picture by itself. But when he saw Amy go down on one knee, consumed in grief, all the years of training and hard work in that instance appearing to have gone to waste, his photographer’s instinct kicked in and he widened his focus.

Another picture of our Amy in tears walking off the pitch (also on this page) was so powerful we used it on the front page of The Argus as the lead story.

Of course in the days after the game Amy will have known that the dedication and practice were not wasted. She’s a proud Olympian. I suspect Geoff’s picture will spur her on to make sure she’s the one in the victorious huddle in four year’s time.

That is the wonder of the Olympics. All human life is there. It’s not so much sport, it transcends that, it’s human life. The joy, the tears, the anger, the frustration, the sheer determination. Humanity striving at its best, when it’s drug free of course.

Take a look at Sussex shooter Steven Scott kissing his bronze medal after the men’s double trap.

Against a wonderful Brazilian backdrop look at the joy mixed with relief on the Battle man’s face. But there’s perspiration there too, proof having one of the best days of your life takes sheer blood, sweat and tears too.

As Argus Picture Editor the Olympics is one of my favourite events. It’s a time when I often get the better of my colleagues on the writing side!

For the selection of Sussex Olympians I’ve chosen for this page really do prove the truth of that famous old saying. Who needs words?