( CNN ) -- The breakout star of this summer 's Olympic games so far has been ... Twitter . The social network has become the go-to place for real-time news , snarky commentary and controversy from athletes , journalists , sports fans and celebrities alike . Here are 12 prolific and entertaining Twitter accounts to follow so you do n't have to miss a score -- or spat . Sanya Richards ( @ SanyaRichiRoss ) : The outrage over International Olympic Committee 's Rule 40 , which bars athletes from promoting their sponsors during the Games , has caused some competitors to protest on social media . U.S. track-and-field athlete Sanya Richards is leading the way . Sample tweet : Now headed to one of my fave sponsors BP for my appearance ; - ) think I can tweet about them # Rule40 so confusing : -/ . Lolo Jones ( @ lolojones ) -- American hurdler Lolo Jones is a riot without a filter . That makes for the best kind of Twitter account . Sample tweet : Italy 's in next building . Could hear shouts of joy from open windows when they won ... Either that or their espresso machine finally got fixed . The Empty Seat ( @ olympicseat ) : The Olympics is n't all joy , drama and excitement . One important group is suffering from a touch of sadness and ennui : the venues ' empty seats . This Twitter feed captures the pain and longing of an unfulfilled destiny . Sample tweet : My mother wanted me to embark on a more stable career path , become an ikea chair for example . But I felt I was destined for greater things . Hope Solo ( @ hopesolo ) : This outspoken U.S. soccer goalie has made headlines for her Twitter smackdowns of former player-turned NBC commentator Brandi Chastain . Sample tweet : Lay off commentating about defending and gking until you get more educated @ brandichastain the game has changed from a decade ago . Steve Wilson ( @ stevewilsonap ) -- Follow veteran Olympics journalist Wilson to keep up on behind-the-scenes stories about the politics of the Olympics Committee . Sample tweet : LOCOG confirmed that Japanese team in opening ceremony left stadium after doing lap in athletes march . Was their request . # london2012 . Samuel L. Jackson ( @ SamuelLJackson ) : Yes , that Samuel L. Jackson . The actor is tweeting up a storm for the Olympics , and it 's pretty much exactly as great as you 'd imagine it to be . Sample tweet : Hey y'all , more Water Polo dopeness ! US vs Hungary , HOTTNESS in a shoot out ! ! NBC Delayed ( @ nbcdelayed ) : Twitter has been filled with equal amounts excitement about the Olympics and outrage at NBC 's delayed , chatty broadcasts . This feed is a running dig at the network . Sample tweet : BREAKING : Roman Emperor Theodosius bans Olympic Games , NBC delay to catch up shortly . # 394AD . Mark Cavendish ( @ MarkCavendish ) : He 's already competed in his scheduled event , Saturday 's Olympic road race . Now colorful professional cyclist Cavendish is helping cover track cycling for the BBC . Sample tweet : Gutted . After 250km , less than a minute to 20guys . My guys were INCREDIBLE & there was nothing more we could do . Victims of our own success . Matthew Mitcham ( @ matthew_mitcham ) : Olympic diver Mitcham already won gold in 2008 . This year he 's multitasking , managing to live-tweet while competing in diving events and answering questions followers have about the sport . Sample tweet : FINAL ROUND : @ loudywiggins @ rachel_bugg back 2.5 with 1.5 twist pike : execution 6.5-8.5 , synchro 8.5 , dive 77.76 , total 323.55 . WELL DONE ! ! ! Holley Mangold ( @ holleymangold ) : This media-savvy ( and surprisingly funny ) U.S. team weightlifter has been posting tons of great observations and photos about her time in London . Sample tweet : Just throwing it out there that it was a privilege to be among the long list of people @ ConanOBrien has made fun of : ) # lovehisshow . US Olympic Team ( @ USOlympic ) -- A hashtag-happy , enthusiastic cheerleading feed of news , scores , RTs , photos and videos about the U.S. team . Sample tweet : Move over # MagnificentSeven , hello # FabFive ! The women 's @ USAGym team has just won its second-ever Olympic team gold ; first since 1996 ! space™ hijackers™ ( @ spacehijackers ) : Calling themselves the `` Official Protesters of the London 2012 Olympic Games , '' the Space Hijackers are tweeting to and about groups protesting the Olympics . Sample tweet : LOCOG wld like to remind Londoners that complaint slips for # emptyseats will be available at the end of each javelin on the athletics field . Search for more : If you 're looking for a specific sport , team , event or athlete , start typing in the search bar of the Olympic Hub tool : hub.olympic.org .
Delayed broadcasts have made Twitter the go-to place for real-time Olympic commentary . The Olympics are a big deal in China, and many Chinese people use social media as their primary source of news about the games. US Olympic Team is hashtag-happy , tweeting and RTing photos and videos .