Read more first

What's your sporting memory of the decade?

Views: 421 \| 1 person like this \| Print \| Email \| Flag

As the end of the decade approaches, the media inevitably seeks to define the sporting achievement / person of the decade. Just because it isn't the most original thing to do doesn't make it less interesting, particularly as the community on iStadia consists of people that have a special interest in sport - perhaps even direct involvement in some of the more memorable moments that have occurred.

I thought that rather than being as specific about defining the person or achievement, I'd ask what your favourite memory in sport from the 'noughties'. Team GB beijing Olympics

As a Brit, and an avid follower of the Olympics since I can remember (whihc would be the Moscow Olympics), I'm going to put my favourite memory down as the entire Beijing Olympics. I know that's a bit of a cop out, but it had so many special moments. From a British perspective the Beijing Olympics represented the transformation of British sport from plucky also-rans to a competitive, highly professional group of athletes across many sports. Being more specific, one could point to the domination of the cycling team, or (I'm also a swimmer) Rebecca Adlington's two gold medals (our first in 20 years in the pool and the first women's gold since Anita Lonsbrough almost 50 years ago), or perhaps Ben Ainslie's 3rd gold medal in a row. But the Beijing Olympics were special not only from a UK perspective, and no more so than in the performances of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps.

So there's my answer. What I love about sport is that everyone will have their own opinion, so I'd love to hear it!

What's your sporting memory of the decade?

--
Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com

Tags: beijing olympics, ben ainslie, cycling, michael phelps, noughties, olympics, rebecca adlington, sporting decade, sports, teamgb, usain bolt

Posted December 30, 2009 at 1:40 AM by robrobson in Olympics | Permalink | Comments(8)

Comments

Tough call but I'm going with Lance Armstrong winning his 7th Tour de France in 2007. For me his achievement is a mixture of the magnitude of the sporting achievement blended with what he overcame to do it and what he went on to do with that fame having got it. I also think cycling is a sport that plenty of countries have a go and you don't need to be born into the right circles to take part..ie you don't need to own a horse or a rowing boat to be discovered. So for me pound for pound this stands out from the rest.

Posted by Djpkerr | December 30, 2009 at 3:31 AM

Its a personal one! The hole in one by my golfing partner last Monday, in the snow, on the 16th on the Montrose Medal Course is my sporting memory of the decade. I've seen a lot of sporting achievements in my 50+years, but it is an amazing skill to deliberately place a tiny ball into a tiny hole in all that expanse of course! He was trying to do it, and he did it. What's more, standing on the tee after he hit it, he said that it "might just be a hole in one"!

Posted by ElizabethR | December 30, 2009 at 4:08 AM

Nice! I nearly put down my own triumphs in masters swimming this year..... Jonny - you do need to own a bike, though :)

--
Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com

Posted by robrobson | December 30, 2009 at 8:32 AM

My favorite sporting moment of the decade was when Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. What made that my favorite moment was witnessing the determination of Phelps' relay teammates toward ensuring that eighth gold medal. Ernie Ernest J. DiStefano, M.S., CSC

Posted by ERNIED | December 30, 2009 at 8:38 AM

For me, it's Roger Federer surpassing Sampras's total of major tennis titles. He overcame a poor run of form & stuck with it. A real champion with success over a long period of time, not a single event or tournament but consistently high performance, great attitude & a areal gentleman!

Posted by dragon | December 30, 2009 at 8:57 AM

For me, it comes down to a photo finish between the Australian Socceroos 2006 world cup qualifications/campaign and the 2000 Sydney Olympics. On both occasions the nation roared with pride and rejoiced as one.

Posted by NGPeate | December 31, 2009 at 5:03 AM

I have to confess that Im very influenced by the most recent - old age I guess. So Usain Bolt before during and after his 100 meters performances in Beijing and this year too. I love his sheer grace and beauty in motion. But as a psychologist I also love his ability to produce outstanding performances whilst appearing to enjoy himself. That his playfulness and showmanship helps him stay loose doesn't surprise me - but that he manages also to stay focused and deliver - what a combination!

William Winstone

Posted by WilliamW | December 31, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Being an Australian I would have to go for the 2000 Olympics. It was a thrill and privilege to participate, but more than that it was such a triumph for Australia From the opening ceremony with Cathy Freeman, to all the sporting achievements in 2 weeks, to the flame being put out on a fly-by of a passing jet. For more recent, 2009 - I loved Kim Clijster coming back, after having a child, and winning the US Open.

Posted by annetteffect | December 31, 2009 at 12:00 PM