The Olympic Village is beginning to clear out as the XXX London Games enters its final weekend. Three former University of Arizona athletes remain behind, including: distance runners Abdi Abdirahman, high jumper Brigetta Barrett and cyclist Todd Wells.

The rest of the current and former Wildcats, as well as those with close ties to Tucson, are heading for the airport and taking off in all directions back into their respective worlds…

#LondonIsWildcatCountry

I hereby declare Olympic Mt. Bicyclist Todd Wells @yotwells to be the fastest #ArizonaWildcats alum on wheels since Annie Porter. #BearDown

— Christopher Wuensch (@BearDownAndBlog) August 4, 2012

- Wells will compete in the cross country mountain bike event on Sunday

Now back to the task at hand… #Goin4Gold

— Andre Iguodala (@mindofAI9) August 10, 2012

- Being traded to the Denver Nuggets doesn’t seem to be dissuading Andre Iguodala from winning Olympic gold

Sad to be saying goodbye to the Olympic Village & to London. What an awesome place. I’ll be back to visit soon. Time for another long flight

— Roland Schoeman (@Rolandschoeman) August 8, 2012

- Good luck returning to the pools of South Africa

Back in Arizona.. Now up to pinetop to meet up with the team. BACK TO WORK I GO! #preseason — Ana Maria Montoya (@anita3montoya) August 10, 2012

- The soccer star returned to her native Colombia before heading back to Tucson

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There are more than 20 athletes with ties to Tucson looking to make some noise in the pools and on the tracks, courts and fields of London at the XXX Olympic Games. They’re also sounding off on Twitter:

#LondonIsWildcatCountry

“Best hug of the 2012 Olympics!!!@Nick_Thoman @MattGrevers This is true Olympic Spirit at its best!!! “ – Photo Tweeted by Dani @Beach_Girl_DGD

Couldn’t help but get on twitter this morning when I saw I had several THOUSAND new followers. Thanks for all of the congratulatory tweets! — Nick Thoman (@Nick_Thoman) July 31, 2012

Had it not been for an Olympic-record setting time by Matt Grevers, (a Northwestern grad and Tucson Ford Dealer Aquatics member), Nick Thoman would be returning from London with a gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke.

As the Wildcat alum found out, a silver medal will net you plenty of fame. Think of what a gold medal would have done for the number of Thoman’s followers, which now sits at 10,455.

The two swimmers — who honed their skills in the same Hillendbrand Aquatic Center lanes — winning gold and silver has been the highlight of the games so far among athletes with ties to Tucson.

My daughter told me I have ugly toes. If only she understood how many miles they have run! — Bernard Lagat (@Lagat1500) July 30, 2012

- Men’s 5000m is set for Aug. 11

Representing Great Britain in pool over the last 10yrs has been an honour & a privilege. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to deliver today. — Simon Burnett (@TheSimonBurnett) July 29, 2012

- Burnett, 29, retired from professional swimming on Tuesday after a career that saw him inducted into the Arizona Athletics Hall of Fame.

Big day for cyling MTB WC this morning early on Redbulltv, now Olympic RR on NBC, opening ceremony last night, no shortage of inspiration — todd wells (@yotwells) July 28, 2012 – Mountain-Bike Cycling begins Aug. 12

- Mountain Bike Cycling will take place Aug. 11

Eating in the biggest mall in Europe and couldn’t be more proud to be an Olympian, BUT #WeDemandChange of #Rule40 — Brigetta Barrett (@bebe3114) July 30, 2012

- The high jumper will leap into action on Aug. 9 and 11

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When Matt Grevers returns home from London, his bags and résumé will be a little heavier.

The Old Pueblo resident and Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatic swimmer set a new Olympic record on Monday with a 52.16 second time in the 100m backstroke. The previous mark held by American Aaron Peirsol had stood since the 2008 Olympics.

It’s the fifth Olympic medal in Grever’s career, joining in his trophy case two golds and a silver from relay races. Grevers claimed a silver medal in the same event in the 2008 Beijing games.

Grevers’ gold medal (for the time being) gives Team USA 17 medals, tied for most with China.

All-American Wildcat Nick Thoman also earned a silver medal on Monday in London. Thoman touched the wall split seconds behind Grevers with a time of 52.92. It’s the first individual medal ever for Thoman, who entered the race as the fifth seed,  on the international stage.

According to Arizona Athletics, Thoman’s medal means the University of Arizona keeps its streak of medaling in the summer Olympics going. A Wildcat has stood atop the podium in every Olympics since 1968.

Stay tuned, it’s highly likely the Wildcats aren’t done accumulating medals.

SWIMMERS WITH TUCSON TIES IN THE OLYMPICS

Clark Burckle, seen here competing in the U.S. Olympic trials, is one of 10 Wildcats vying for gold in the pools at the London Games.

Alyssa Anderson – 800 freestyle relay (UA)

Jean Basson – 800 freestyle relay (South Africa/UA)

Clark Burckle – 200 breaststroke (UA)

Simon Burnett – 400 freestyle relay (Great Britain/UA)

Matt Grevers – 100 backstroke, 400 freestyle relay (TFDA)

Caitlin Leverenz – 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley (Sahuaro High School)

Nicolas Oliveira – 100 freestyle, 400 freestyle relay (Brazil/UA)

Roland Schoeman – 50 freestyle (South Africa/UA)

Nimrod Shapira - 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly (Israel/UA)

Albert Subirats – 100 butterfly (Venezuela/UA)

Nick Thoman – 100 backstroke (UA)

Darian Townsend – 200 individual medley (South Africa/UA)