Ethiopia’s indomitable presence in the men’s marathon event has soared to unprecedented heights, crafting a legacy marked by an illustrious lineage of world record holders. Within this world of endurance running, a nation renowned for its athletic prowess has emerged triumphant, producing a stellar cast of marathon runners who have left an indelible impact on the sport.
Haile Gebrselassie, an esteemed name synonymous with greatness, has made his mark upon marathon history. His feat at the 2008 Berlin Marathon stands as a world record time of 2:01:39, cementing his status as one of the most exceptional marathon runners of all time. Beyond this milestone, Gebrselassie’s medal cabinet gleams with gold from the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Summer Olympics, epitomising his unwavering dominance.
Ethiopia’s commanding stature in the men’s marathon event springs forth from a confluence of factors. The nation’s genetic predisposition for endurance running intertwines with the lofty altitudes that foster stamina development. Ethiopian runners undergo arduous training regimens under skilled coaches, fortified by a culture that reveres running as a conduit for social advancement.
With each passing year, Ethiopia’s unwavering mastery of the men’s marathon event remains an unwritten story of triumph waiting to unfold. As world records continue to crumble and new chapters are woven into the tapestry of marathon running, Ethiopia’s eminence shines ever brighter, illuminating the path forward.
Nowadays, the official seating capacity of the Centre Court at Wimbledon is 14,979. However, what is now, arguably, the most famous tennis court in the world has undergone a number of significant changes since it was opened, in its current location, by His Majesty King George V on June 22, 1922. The original seating capacity was 9,989, with standing room for an additional 3,400 spectators.
The Wimbledon Championships were suspended for the duration of World War II but, on October 11,1940, a 500lb bomb struck the roof of Centre Court, destroying 1,200 seats. Remarkably, resumed in SW19 in 1946, following the cessation of hostilities, but the damage to Centre Court was not repaired until 1947, such that the seating capacity was restricted.
In 1979, the roof of Centre Court was raised, to make provision for over 1,000 additional seats, while the East Side Building, opened in 1985, added over 800 more. In 1992, the roof was completely replaced, with a structure supported by four, rather than 26, thereby providing unrestricted viewing for over 3,500 more seatholders.
The most noteworthy change, though, came in the late noughties, with the installation of six rows of wider, more comfortable seating – a total of 1,200 seats – on the upper tier on three sides of Centre Court. Aside from increasing seating capacity to its current level, the major construction project also involved the installation of a new, concenrtina-style retractable roof, which was first used on June 29, 2009.
Incidentally, the name ‘Centre Court’ was originally a throwback to the early days of the Wimbledon Championships at the original site of the All England Croquet Club on nearby Worple Road. On the new site, in Church Road, Centre Court was not, in fact, central until four new courts were opened on the north side of the grounds in 1980.
At the time of writing, Wales’ goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has recently made headlines by becoming the first player to be sent off at the 2022 World Cup. With four minutes of normal time remaining in Wales’ third and final Group B match, against Iran, Hennessey raced from his goal line to clear a long, over-the-top ball. However, he missed the ball completely as onrushing Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi toe-poked past him and succeeded only in catching his opponent in the face with an unsightly, ‘kung-fu’ style kick, which knocked him to the ground. Referee Mario Toca, from Guatemala, initially gave Hennessey a yellow card but, following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, swiftly overturned his decision and gave Hennessey a red card for serious foul play instead.
The goalkeeper with the dubious distinction of being the first of his kind to be dismissed during the FIFA World Cup finals was Gianluca Pagliuca, of Italy, who received his marching orders at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. In a not dissimilar circumstances to Hennessey, almost halfway through the first half of Italy’s second Group E match, against Norway, Pagliuca dashed out to tackle Norwegian midfielder Oyvind Leonhardsen. In so doing, he was adjudged to have handled the ball outside the penalty area and was given a straight red card by German referee Hellmut Krug.
The only other goalkeeper to be sent off during the FIFA World Cup finals was Itumeleng Khune, of South Africa. Of course, the Rainbow Nation played host to the 2010 World Cup and Khune found fame, for the wrong reasons, in their second Group A match, against Uruguay. With his side trailing 1-0, after 76 minutes Khune was adjudged to have brought down Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez inside the penalty area and was given a straight red card, ‘for denying the opposing team a clear goal-scoring opportunity’, by Swiss referee Massimo Busacca.
Regarded as an icon of unparalleled speed and agility, Florence Griffith-Joyner stands tall as the fastest woman in history, holding the world record for the women’s 100-metre sprint at an astounding 10.49 seconds. Her awe-inspiring achievement took place amidst the grandeur of the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul, South Korea, etching her name indelibly in the world of athletic greatness.
Born in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, California, in 1968, Griffith-Joyner showcased her prodigious talent on the track from an early age. It was evident that her fleet-footed prowess was destined for extraordinary accomplishments. The year 1982 witnessed her inaugural conquest as she claimed her first national championship, a remarkable triumph that would be the first of many in her illustrious career.
However, it was in the transformative year of 1988 that Griffith-Joyner reached the zenith of her athletic brilliance. The Olympic trials witnessed an unrivalled display of speed and endurance as she shattered not only world records in the 100 metres, 200 metres, and 4×100 metre relay but also shattered preconceived notions of what the human body could achieve. Subsequently, she ascended the Olympic podium, adorned with well-deserved gold medals in both the 100 metres and 200 metres, leaving spectators and competitors alike in awe.
Yet, it was not just her unrivalled athleticism that captivated the world; Griffith-Joyner’s unique style and signature long fingernails became symbolic of her captivating personality. Her flamboyant presence and vivacity turned her into a global sensation, transcending the boundaries of the track and inspiring a new generation of athletes.
In the dynamic and captivating world of Formula 1, where speed and skill collide, one driver’s legacy reigns supreme. Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian racing sensation, captivated the hearts of fans around the globe with his awe-inspiring talent and drive for greatness. It was in the year 1988 that Senna put his name in the history books, embarking on a remarkable journey that would lead him to the pinnacle of the sport.
Driving for the formidable McLaren-Honda team, Senna’s star shone brightly. With blistering speed and unrivalled determination, he left his competitors in the dust, triumphing in an astounding 15 out of 16 races that season. The Brazilian maestro showcased his artistry on the track, manoeuvring his car with precision and finesse, and amassing a remarkable 78 points, a staggering 13 points ahead of his teammate, Alain Prost.
Senna’s impact on the world of Formula 1 extended far beyond his phenomenal 1988 campaign. Widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest icons, he secured three Formula 1 World Championships, leaving an indelible mark on racing history. A true master of his craft, Senna notched an impressive tally of 41 Grands Prix victories and 65 pole positions, standing as a testament to his extraordinary skill and commitment to excellence.
However, Senna’s story took a tragic turn at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, where a devastating crash brought a premature end to his extraordinary journey. Though his physical presence may have departed, his spirit continues to inspire countless racing enthusiasts and aspiring drivers across the globe. Ayrton Senna’s passion, his relentless pursuit of perfection, and his ability to push the limits of what was thought possible serve as a lasting testament to his remarkable legacy.