Run annually, on the first Saturday in May, over a mile and a quarter at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the Kentucky Derby is, of course, the first leg of the American Triple Crown. The race was established in 1875 and, although contested over a mile and a half until 1896, has been run without interruption ever since. Fillies receive a 5lb weight-for-sex allowance from colts but, even so, in 149 renewals of ‘The Run for the Roses’, just three have managed to beat their male counterparts.
The first to do so was Regret on May 8, 1915. Bred and owned by Harry Whitney, trained by James Rowe Sr. and well ridden by Joseph ‘Joe’ Notter, Regret made all the running and drew clear in the closing stages to win, eased down, by two lengths. According to Martin ‘Matt’ Winn, President of Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby ‘needed only a victory by Regret [who was based in New York] to create for us some coast-to-coast publicity, and Regret did not fail us.’
It was not until 65 years later, on May 3, 1980, that another filly won the Kentucky Derby. The filly in question was Genuine Risk, bred and owned by Diana Firestone, trained by LeRoy Jolley and ridden by Jacinto Vásquez. Settled early, Genuine Risk made ground approaching the half-mile marker and took command in the home straight, beating Rumbo by a length. She remains the only filly to finish in the money in all three Triple Crown races, subsequently finishing second, under controversial circumstances, in the Preakness Stakes and second again in the Belmont Stakes.
Last, but by no means least, on the short list of winning fillies is Winning Colors, who enjoyed her 15 minutes – or, rather, 2 minutes and 2.2 seconds – of fame on May 7, 1988. Owned by Eugene Klein, trained by Darrell Lukas and ridden by Gary Stevens, she, too, made all the running and held on grimly close home to win by a neck. She, too, contested the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, finishing third in behind Risen Star in the former, but unplaced behind the same rival in the latter.
The late Shane Warne, who died of a heart attack – caused by atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries – on March 4, 2022, aged 52, was one of the finest bowlers in cricket history. He was credited with single-handedly resurrecting the ‘lost’ art of leg-spin bowling, which yielded 708 wickets in Test cricket and another 293 in One Day Internationals, at an average of 25.41 and 25.73, respectively.
Born in Upper Ferntree Gully, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, on September 13, 1969, Warne made an inauspicious Test debut, taking 1-150 off 45 overs in the first innings of a drawn match against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in January, 1992. However, British cricket fans were given their first glimpse of the young Victorian when he made his Ashes debut, aged 23, in the first Test of the Australia tour of England at Old Trafford, Manchester on June 4, 1993. England won the toss and elected to field and, on day two, were 80-1 in pursuit of Australia’s first innings total of 289 all out, with captain Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting at the crease, when Warne came on to bowl from the Warwick Road End.
Gatting, renowned as a skilled player of spin, was on strike for what match commentator Richie Benaud, almost clairvoyantly, introduced as the ‘first ball in Test cricket in England for Shane Warne’. What followed was later described by Anil Kumble, the most successful Indian bowler in history, as ‘a perfect delivery for any legspinner, or any spinner for that matter’. The so-called ‘Ball of the Century’ drifted across Gatting, pitching, apparently harmlessly, well outside the leg stump, but ripped back two and half feet, past the outside edge, to clip the top of the off stump. A bewildered Gatting stood momentarily at the crease, oblivious to exactly what had happened, before consulting umpire Ken Palmer and trudging off.
For reasons that will become apparent, the most appropriate answer to this question essentially boils down to semantics. Britannica, for example, defines athletics as ‘a variety of competitions in running, walking, jumping and throwing events’, whereas Merriam Webster defines an athlete as a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina’.
Applying the first definition, strictly, the athlete who has made the most Olympic appearances is Spaniard Jesús Ángel García Bragado. Born in Madrid, on October 17, 1969, he made his Olympic debut in the 50-kilometre walk at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on August 7, 1992; he finished tenth in a time of 3:58.43, exactly eight and a half minutes behind gold medallist Andrey Perlov. Thereafter, García Bragado competed in the same event of the next seven Olympic Games, culminating with the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. On August 6, 2021, at Odori Park in Sapporo, capital of the Japanese island of Hokkaido, he finished thirty-fifth in the 50-kilometre walk, at the age of 51.
Applying the second definition, though, it can be argued that pistol shooters, whose event does, after all, require physical strength and stamina, should be described as ‘athletes’. In that case, the athlete who has made the most Olympic appearances is, in fact, Georgian woman Nino Salukvadze, who made her Olympic debut, representing the Soviet Union, in the 25-metre pistol in Seoul, South Korea on September 18, 1988. She won the gold medal in that event and the silver medal in the 10-metre air pistol event two days later, having set a new world record in the qualifying round. Like García Bragado, she went on to compete at the next eight Olympic Games, for a total of nine appearances altogether.
In 1896, a historic event unfolded in Athens, Greece—the first modern Olympic Games. Athens, a city steeped in cultural heritage, was chosen as the host, symbolising the revival of the ancient Greek tradition. Led by visionary Pierre de Coubertin, the Games brought together athletes from around the world, showcasing their skills and fostering a sense of international camaraderie.
When it comes to sporting spectacles, nothing gets better than the backdrop that Athens delivered. While Athens will always be known for its ancient ruins, it is also known for being the first place where Athletes descended to compete across many different sports. From gymnastics to swimming and track and field events, it was a sight to behold as they competed against each other.
The inaugural modern Olympics marked a significant milestone in the history of sport, reigniting the flame that had burned bright centuries ago. Athens’ contribution extended beyond hosting the first Games; it became a cherished Olympic destination, hosting subsequent editions and solidifying its place in sporting history.
Today, Athens stands as a symbol of the enduring Olympic spirit. Its legacy as the birthplace of the modern Olympics continues to inspire athletes worldwide. The Games exemplify the power of sport to transcend boundaries and unite people from diverse backgrounds, fostering a spirit of friendship and fair competition.
The first modern Olympic Games took place in Athens, Greece, in 1896, rekindling the flame of the ancient Greek tradition. This momentous event showcased the talent and dedication of athletes while promoting international unity through sport. Athens’ rich cultural heritage and its role in hosting subsequent Olympics make it an iconic city in the annals of the Olympic movement.
In the realm of marathon running, an extraordinary feat unfolded that left the world breathless and evoked a sense of wonder. Eliud Kipchoge, the illustrious Kenyan athlete, etched his name in the annals of history through a remarkable achievement that shattered expectations and redefined the boundaries of human potential.
Picture the scene—the vibrant streets of Berlin, a stage set for greatness. On that momentous September 16, 2018, Kipchoge embarked on a monumental journey, transcending mere competition to embody the very essence of perseverance and athletic prowess.
With every stride, Kipchoge defied the limits of physical endurance, propelled by unwavering determination and an unwavering focus. Each footfall was a testament to years of arduous training, disciplined preparation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence that set him apart.
As the marathon unfolded, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation. The world held its collective breath, knowing they were witnessing something truly extraordinary. Kipchoge’s form was poetry in motion, a seamless fusion of grace and power as he pushed the boundaries of human capability.
As the finish line drew near, time seemed to stand still. In a climactic moment, Kipchoge crossed the hallowed threshold, the clock freezing at an astonishing time—2 hours, 1 minute, and 39 seconds. The crowd erupted in a symphony of applause, aware that they were witnessing history being made.
Kipchoge’s record-breaking marathon time shattered all preconceived notions, eclipsing the previous world record by an astounding margin of 1 minute and 18 seconds. This monumental achievement epitomised the relentless pursuit of greatness, inspiring generations to come.
Beyond the realm of athletics, Kipchoge’s triumph represents the indomitable human spirit, an embodiment of the human capacity to overcome adversity and overcome limitations. It serves as a powerful reminder that our potential knows no bounds when we harness the strength within us.