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Sports and Notable Athletes

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Sport plays a central role in UK culture, with the country hosting various prestigious events and tournaments.

Sports
Sport Description
Cricket
  • Originated in England
  • Games can last up to five days and still end in a draw
  • Famous series: The Ashes (England vs Australia)
  • Common phrases: ‘rain stopped play’, ‘batting on a sticky wicket’, ‘playing a straight bat’, ‘bowled a googly’, ‘it’s just not cricket’
Football
  • UK’s most popular sport with a long history
  • Separate leagues for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
  • Clubs also compete in UEFA Champions League
  • National teams compete in FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championships
  • England won the FIFA World Cup in 1966
Rugby
  • Originated in England in the early 19th century
  • Two types: Rugby Union and Rugby League, with different rules
  • Separate leagues and national teams in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (with Irish Republic)
  • Six Nations Championship is the top Rugby Union competition
  • Super League is the main Rugby League club competition
Horse-racing
  • Dates back to Roman times
  • Famous events: Royal Ascot, Grand National, Scottish Grand National
  • National Horseracing Museum is in Newmarket, Suffolk
Golf
  • Modern golf began in 15th century Scotland
  • St Andrews is known as the home of golf
  • The Open Championship is the only Major tournament held outside the USA
Tennis
  • Modern tennis evolved in England in the late 19th century
  • First tennis club founded in Leamington Spa (1872)
  • Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament and only Grand Slam played on grass
Water sports
  • Sir Francis Chichester: first to sail solo around the world (1966/67)
  • Sir Robin Knox-Johnston: first to sail solo non-stop (1968/69)
  • Famous sailing event: Cowes, Isle of Wight
  • Rowing is also popular; Oxford vs Cambridge race held annually on the Thames
Motor sports
  • Car racing began in 1902 in the UK
  • Formula 1 Grand Prix held annually in UK
  • Recent British champions: Damon Hill, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button
Skiing
  • Popular leisure activity in the UK
  • Five ski centres in Scotland
  • Europe’s longest dry slope is near Edinburgh
Other Info
  • Major stadiums: Wembley (London), Millennium (Cardiff)
  • Olympic Games hosted(3 times) by UK in 1908, 1948, and 2012
  • 2012 Olympics held in Stratford, East London; UK finished 3rd in medal table
  • 2012 Paralympics also held in London
  • Paralympics began with Dr Sir Ludwig Guttman’s work at Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Notable Athletes and Their Achievements
Athlete Sport Achievements
Sir Roger Bannister Runner First to run a mile in under 4 minutes.
Sir Jackie Stewart(Scottish) Racing driver 3-time Formula 1 World Champion
Bobby Moore Football Captained the English football team. Won the World Cup in 1966.
Sir Ian Botham Cricket Captained the English cricket team., held Test records in batting and bowling.
Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean Ice Dancing Won Olympic gold in 1984.
Sir Steve Redgrave Rowing FIVE consecutive olympics Gold medals. Britain’s greatest Olympians.
Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson Athlete(Wheelchair) 16 Paralympic medals(including 11 Gold), 6-time London Marathon winner, 30 world records.
Dame Kelly Holmes Athlete(Middle distance Runner) Was Specialised in the 800 and 1500 metres events; Won 2 Olympic golds in the 2004 Olympic Games.
Dame Ellen MacArthur Sailing(yachtswoman) Fastest person(Solo) to sail around the world in 2004.
Sir Chris Hoy(Scottish) Cycling 6 Olympic golds & 1 Olympic silver medals.
David Weir Athlete(Wheelchair) 6 Paralympic golds, 6-time London Marathon winner.
Bradley Wiggins Cycling First Briton to win Tour de France in 2012 , Won 7 Olympic medals.
Mo Farah Distance Runner Olympic golds in 5,000m & 10,000m (2012); first Briton to win 10,000m.
Jessica Ennis Athlete(Heptathlon) Won Olympic gold in 2012.
Andy Murray(Scottish) Tennis US Open winner (2012), Olympic gold & silver, first British Grand Slam winner since 1936.
Ellie Simmonds Swimming (Paralympic) 2 Paralympic golds; Was the youngest member of the British team at the 2008 Games.
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