After an Olympics of such scintillating brilliance that even
its bitterest sceptics became engrossed, we were faced with a sobering return
to normality.
Yet no sooner had we comprehended that Rhythmic Gymnastics
was no more, or that Bargain Hunt was back over Handball, then the next event
had started and the summer was back in motion.
We have since seen another superb sporting month, full of thrills
and spills, scandal and success, and here are eight of its finest moments...
KP: We needed
something to temper our faith in the Olympian spirit, and after an almost
unnoticed 149 at Headingley, Pietersen provided exactly that when sending South
Africans derogatory texts about his teammates. A spoof Twitter account claimed that while there
is no ‘I’ in team there are five in individual brilliance, and this epitomises
a player long renowned for dressing room division. This time he has gone too
far, but as England lose their captain and number one ranking before the
toughest of sub-continent tours, can they survive without their controversial
talisman?
Lance: Pietersen
has ruffled feathers on MCC balconies, but after abandoning his fight against
doping charges, the Lance Armstrong scandal is global. The US Anti-Doping
Agency crusade does appear a vendetta, and to rely on the evidence of serial
cheats Hamilton and Landis is flaky at best. Yet it was always inconceivable
that Lance could have dominated clean in such a notorious era, and whatever the
eventual outcome his legacy will always be stained.
Transfers: In football
it is money which rules the roost. Yet any apathy about the beautiful game was
dispelled with the excitement of Robin Van Persie’s move to Old Trafford. Then
came the rituals of deadline day: day off, up at 9 with Lap-Top, I-Phone and
Skysportsnews at the ready to hear who Preston had poached from Wycombe and who
Liverpool had failed to spend £35million on. Being an Arsenal fan on this day
is like being in detention when everyone else is playing, but after a day of
failure Liverpool were there alongside them.
Action: Some of
those who did move – Hazard, Cazorla, Michu and RVP - have been the stars so
far. Goalkeeping howlers and more Anfield disappointment have been among other
highlights, while the Hodgson era began properly with a romp in Moldova. With domestic cricket and Rugby League nearing
closure, Rugby Union also got underway with a thrilling Twickenham fight-back
for Harlequins, in a season focussed towards next summer’s Lions tour.
Round Two: For
those who cannot be satisfied by anything other than a Stratford sport-fest the
Paralympics were the perfect tonic. With a thrilling opening ceremony followed
by great sport in the pool, the velodrome and the track, history was repeating
itself, and the fact that the heroes were blind long jumpers, armless archers
and legless cyclists made it only more exciting. With its many classifications
the Games can be confusing but the action – epitomised by the sprinting duels
of Oscar Pistorius and the unbridled anger of Jody Cundy – was top-level
professional sport.
Success: The British
bandwagon rolled on unabated. After four titles apiece, Sarah Storey and David
Weir (wolf) were the stars, with Symonds, Peacock, Christianson and others close
behind. Elsewhere Rory McIlroy’s triumph
at the USPGA was another forgotten win but his form there and subsequently was
magnificent, while the return of Formula One after the summer recess has provided
more Union flag waving after victories for Button and now Hamilton - despite
growing cracks within McLaren.
Fame: But if
Olympic nostalgia has been too great, then it has not been hard to find its
heroes. Most have being doing the customary chat shows, interviews and
appearances as they enjoy their time in the spotlight, while others have been wing-walking,
having twins, or becoming Britain’s foremost celebrity couple. Some have been
finishing their seasons’, be it at the Tour of Britain, or the Diamond League –
where Aries Merritt’s hurdles world record dared to steal the limelight.
Priorities: Other
Team GB stars have had greater targets. Ben Ainslie has netted two Americas Cup
wins; Chris Froome came fourth in the Tour of Spain – one race too far in a
mountain-dominated event as much for the purists as the Tour de France was for
the Brits. Over in New York it was
thrills and spills for Laura Robson and her mixed doubles partner in a typically
disorganised US Open. From his agonising SW19 final defeat via the Olympics to
New York, Andy Murray has been a constant presence this summer and if he is to
beat Djokovic tonight it will be a crowning glory.
We have never seen such a great summer of sport before, and with
Twenty20 and Ryder Cup action still to come, we are never likely to again.
Today’s parade reminded us of those great champions, but
there are so many others as well, and if you are wondering why I haven’t
written about them since March, well – I have been too busy watching it all...
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