The Year in Sport Review

Or someone standing on the beach shouting! Now on Breakfast, Patrick

Geary looks back at some of the sporting events which shaped the

year. In the middle of 2013, Centre Court

seemed like the centre of the nation. One of British boats oldest

frustration, the long wait for a men's singles champion at Wimbledon,

was finally over. Andy Murray's big three persona long in the making

that it was nice to have it preserved. After 77 years of

waiting, a useful reminder to the British public that it finally

actually happened. It can seem like an illusion after all the country

had been there before. A year before, to be precise. Murray was a

setup on the 2012 final before Richard Federer took him apart. I'm

getting closer! He certainly was. His Olympic gold and the US Open

title make the 2013 Wimbledon more highly anticipated film ever. There

are already a lot more people here than there was at the same time last

year. Refreshments were served and everyone settled down for the

journey. First up, a German court check, Benjamin Becker. Straight

sets, straightforward. Round to begin, Murray through. For the time

he saw off Tommy Robredo, he had gone a week without losing a set.

Expectations: As others fell, Rafael Nadal, out of sorts and of

Wimbledon. Roger Federer went to. Over two Wimbledon's folk hero, with

a folk song. No worries indeed against Mikael usually, another

straight sets win. Little was expected against the land of the

desk, but he pushed Murray to be boring. His unblemished record was

gone in one set. Unsettling became uncomfortable as Verdasco won the

second, too. Murray was in a fight and one he was losing. Then he

stood, grabbing the third set and eventually the fourth after another

battle. Verdasco suddenly seemed overstretched and Murray won the

fifth, and Wimbledon breathed again. A comeback to be appreciated by a

connoisseur of them. From there, anything was possible. The six foot

eight semifinal opponent appeared daunting and the poll vault at the

first set, but we have been here before. Sure enough, back came

Murray. Set to end set three were his. They closed the roof but Murray

just that the party indoors. -- took the party.

Welcome to Wimbledon, and the men's singles final, Andy Murray against

Novak took a bridge. But Djokovic had already beaten Murray in the

Australian open final. At times he seems unbeatable, not this time.

Murray broke Djokovic in the third game. The Serbian broken back but

his composure had been disrupted. Murray seized his chance, you took

the first set, then the second. He got the better of a turbulent third.

Soon he was a game from history, three match points came and went.

The emotions I had in that last game, the last four or five points,

it was like one blurb. It was tough. The waiting is over! Andy Murray is

the Wimbledon champion! There was another, quieter side of

the Bristol British tennis. Robson's runt of the fourth round

gave the women's game a boost. Even she didn't seem to be expecting to

progress in the first round against Kirilenko, but a momentum carried

her through two more rounds into the second week and she finishes the

year inside the world's top 50. The women's tournament was full of

surprises, not least the eventual winner, France's Marion Bartoli.

Serena Williams went out early but at least one to the other grand

slams. Azarenka one the other one. For more than a quarter of a

century, this dugout was dominated by one man. Sir Alex Ferguson

watched as Manchester United teams of his creation swept all before

them, and 2013 was no different, but for one thing. This was the year

that the most decorated manager in English or history finally handed

over his watch. But there was no chance of Sir Alex leaving unsettled

scores in his last season. The smiles masked a fierce determination

to reclaim the title he had lost to Manchester city in 2012. At the

beginning of 2013, they had a 7-point lead over the side who had

hit the wall. Ferguson's teams go the distance. Van Persie's 26 league

goals in his first season at the club helped return the Premier

League trophy to Old Trafford. Still no one except the man himself knew

that his 13th league title would be his last. We have just heard that

the Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has retired after more

than 26 years in charge and 38 trophies, Sir Alex Ferguson is to

step down as managing -- manager. During his time here, he has built a

global sporting but Norman. As retirement do is go, his wasn't bad.

Old Trafford sang his eulogy. Those last minutes goals, the comebacks,

even the defeats, are all part of this great football club of hours.

It has been an unbelievable experience for all of us, so thank

you for that. The party ended with the old ritual of lifting the

Premier League trophy. United fans came out onto the streets of

Manchester in their thousands, determined to enjoy these moments.

Beyond them lies uncertainty. David Moyes was the anointed successor,

but following Fergie may just deepen the worry lines. The old boss sits

watching over the new one but insists he's not descending to the

dugout. That was very important to me, to go out as a winner. And I

think, to be honest, my time had come. He was the only United hero

calling time, two members of the famous class of 92 retired from

playing. David Beckham and Paul Scholes will probably enjoy

different retirements. Meanwhile, the age of Greater Manchester, the

sun was shining on a small town getting ready for it against foot

boring day. Wigan Athletic were in the FA Cup final. But that optimism

wasn't shared in the rest of the country. Surely Manchester city

would be too strong. Headed in by Watson! His header has won the FA

Cup final for Wigan Athletic! Glory was fleeting, they lost their

Premier League status and manager within a month but for Wigan, 2013

will be unforgettable. The Capital One cup also had a surprising

winner, Swansea City took it, beating an even more unlikely

opponent, Bradford city. In Scotland, things were more

predictable with Rangers in lower league XL, Celtic swapped the league

and cup double. Chelsea had a runner to be quiet season but there was at

least one trophy to celebrate, they won the Europa League. 2013 marked

the end of the road to Brazil. The 2014 World Cup has an appeal like

few others but the sunny festival of football was out of reach for three

of the home nations. Wales team with the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron

Ramsey finished a point below Scotland, for whom qualifying was

also frustrating. Northern Ireland and Russia and lost to Luxembourg in

a confusing campaign. England, though, are through. Two wins in the

last two games soften some of the criticism of manager Roy Hodgson,

for a day. He was soon apologising after a half-time joke of his that

somehow find racist word leaked to a newspaper. In the World Cup draws on

the news he wanted either. England. The FA chairman Greg Dyke's reaction

suggests a lack of confidence after England were drawn to play Italy in

the Amazon and then Uruguay and Costa Rica. It wouldn't be a World

Cup -- would be a World Cup without the world present most expensive

player. Off to real Madrid in exchange for a world-record fee. If

Gareth Bale didn't realise it before, he now knows exactly what

life is like as a Real Madrid Calexico. All he has to do now is

live up to the price tag. There was a much fated trip abroad for the

England women's team, too. Much was expected of them in Sweden, far less

was delivered. A defeat to Spain set an unwanted tone. They needed to win

their final group game against France. They lost 3-0. Such was the

disappointment that it cost coach Hope Powell her job after fifth teen

years in charge. -- 15 years in charge. This was generally's six

straight win at the Euros. Arsenal now have a rival after nine years in

the Gunners trophy cabinet, the league title went to Liverpool.

Cardiff in March, scene of both a show stopping finale and an

audition. Wales were taking on England. The English wanted the

Grand Slam, Welsh and 8.3 the given the six Nations final. Wales be the

winners in every sense. Not only did they have the satisfaction of ruin

in England's party, 15 Welshman were on the Alliance tour. On arriving

down and there was a little time to acclimatise, but things were to get

high octane fast. The first test was in Brisbane. The Lions were roared

on by a big travelling support. It was a match of fine margins. Leigh

Halfpenny kicked three penalties, Australia two. So to Melbourne and a

chance for the Lions to win the series. Australia had other ideas.

Leigh Halfpenny's five penalties had the match won, then Australia got

within range. It was all to play for in Sydney. It was billed as a game

that might define the British and Irish Lions concept, but Brian

O'Driscoll was dropped from what would have been the last match of

his Lions career. Warren Gatland that the players that he knew.

Obviously he was disappointed. It is the first time a coach has made that

decision, it is not easy for that to be the first time. It was a huge

gamble with the highest stakes, but it paid off spectacularly. Alliance

scored two second-half tries and ended 16 years waiting for a Lions

win. Warren Gatland had won the argument. Meanwhile, rugby league

was coming home. 14 teams going head to head to win rugby league's

greatest prize and create a piece of sporting history. England last won

the World Cup as part of Great Britain in 1972. England's first

game against Australia showed the scale of their task. The next few

steps were trouble-free. Ireland and Fiji were dispatched. Scotland also

reached the quarterfinals. The journey finished against New

Zealand. England progressed, beating France, to meet the Kiwis in the

semifinals. Suddenly it all came together for England. They matched

the World Cup holders and then they were beating them. The clock ticked

down. One minute remaining, New Zealand made one last push. Heart

stopping heartbreak. Still, Johnson had to dust himself off and kick for

the final. So, England have to watch the rest of their own party from the

sidelines. Australia were too strong, overwhelming New Zealand to

reclaim the World Cup. Both the domestic trophies are being held at

Wigan. They beat Hull FC and the challenge cup final and battled

their way to the super league grand final where they came from behind to

beat Warrington. Sir Bradley Wiggins was injured for the Tour de France

saw the road was clear for Chris Froome. The Kenyan born Brit made it

two in a row for Team Sky. He crossed the line more than four

minutes ahead of his nearest rival. He dedicated his victory to his

mother who died in 2008 of cancer. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I

could feel myself welling up with tears, coming up to the finish line.

It was a special moment. British cycling remains successful on the

tracks, too. Becky James won at the World Championships. The world title

at stake and Becky James is the champion of the world. This board

remained haunted by Lance Armstrong. Lance Armstrong has admitted for the

first time he did use performance enhancing drugs. He said he had used

banned substances during all of his victories. Armstrong finally

admitted to doping in a television interview. For many, it was too

late. 2013 was the year that Justin Rose finally blossomed. He was in

the running for the US open with Phil Mickelson. It came down to the

last hole. Rose beat Mickelson in a play-off. A month later, Mickelson

was on fine form as Royal Muirfield. He stormed through to lift the

British Open, his fifth major title. At the Crucible, Ronnie O'Sullivan

was making a big entrance, or rather, re-entrance. His latest

comeback came to defend the world title. He clocked up six century

breaks in defeating Barry Hawkins to win his fifth World Championship.

Snooker's darker side came to light, too. Stephen Lee was banned for 12

years for match fixing. He intends to appeal.

He has done it! What a hero, what a sportsman, what a jockey. AP McCoy

rides into history at Towcester. Race number 4000 were special even

for a man who has been the champion jockey since 1995. How does that

feel? It is an amazing feeling. I am proud. The first time probably I

have been proud of what I have achieved. The Grand National was run

on a modified course. All 40 verses got back safely. The winner was a

surprise. Aurora 's encore. As he crosses the line, Sebastien

Vettel is the 2013 world champion. Formula one's number one has not

changed. Sebastian Vettel won the first nine races of the season. He

claimed a fourth consecutive championship in India with three

races remaining. Red Bull successfully defended the

constructors championship. The race to the top was a little predictable.

The tyres were anything but. Pirelli had to defend themselves from

criticism. In MotoGP, the rookie year is supposed to be about

learning. Marc Marquez uses to go for the title. Reigning champion

Jorge Lorenzo pushed his fellow Spaniard to the final race. It is a

dream come true. I did a mistake in the first season. The America's Cup

represents unfamiliar waters for the British. But with Ben Ainslie,

America won nine victories in a row, taking the title from Australia. It

was a mountain to climb. It was always possible. We had to keep the

boat going faster. We did that. British women reigned supreme in the

triathlon. Non Stanford won the final race in London and the World

Series. A magnificent victory. Fellow Brit Jodie Stimpson finished

just below her in second. The question of who is the greatest

British athlete is a tricky one to answer. And now added to the likes

of, Daley Thompson and Kelly Holmes, are two new names. The first, Mo

Farah. Less than a year after winning the Olympics, he was in

Moscow chasing the world titles. First up, the longer distance, ten

kilometres. For Mo Farah, it looked a formality. Most would never rest.

Not Mo Farah. He had to go again over 5000 metres, a distance he won

over 2011 and 2012. My aim was to hold him off and not give the

outside lane. It is he wouldn't let me in. I had to do something

different because he knew I was going to go 400 metres out. So I

went from 700 metres out. Think about saying, I'm not going to let

anybody pass me, I worked too hard for this and I wanted more than

anyone else. Mo Farah is running for greatness! He wins it! Two Olympic

gold medals, two world gold medals. Christian ruler went to Russia as

the reigning world champion over 400 metres. No British woman had ever

defended a world title. If Mo Farah was close, this was closer. Will it

be quick enough? Will she get there? She might just make it! She won buy

4000th of a second. Usain Bolt was a little further in front. The fastest

man on earth won three more gold medals. 2013 was a year for

disability sport to keep itself in the public imagination. Hannah

Cockroft has become something of a poster girl. She won two goals at

the World Championships. Great Britain won 11 golds in all. Jonnie

Peacock operates over the short distance. He beat Richard Browne to

take the 100 metres gold. There was more success in the pool. 18 gold

medals at the world swimming Championships in Montreal. There was

a new name. Amy Marren won four gold medals. Those left in the stands

came out to applaud a victory for the weather. The Ashes had been

retained in the rain with a draw in the third test. It was a strangely

anti-climactic moment in some are prone to the occasional storm.

Before the series, Australian and English players were out drinking

when an altercation ended with David Warner punching Joe Root. I'm here

today to put my hand up and apologise publicly. Sorry was not

enough. Warner was banned until the third test. Australia had to start

without him. At Trent Bridge, another row was looming. Stuart

Broad clearly edged a delivery to slip. The umpires did not see it.

Stuart Broad did not walk. The match was effectively settled by Jimmy

Anderson, who took five wickets in each innings. At Lord's, on day one

of the second test, it was Royal. England were majestic. Ian Bell hit

the first of his three centuries. The Ashes were almost safe. It

didn't stay that way. A much improved Australia were denied a

shot at victory by the drizzle. The draw meant the Ashes were retained.

North to Durham where the weather had perked up. The Aussies were

again better. Stuart Broad took 11 wickets. That won the series. I see

a few good signs within the Australian camp that they will push

England. England are developing this experience and expertise. That is

why they have won the last three. The hope, even expectation, when

England arrived in Australia was to make it four in a row. But

everything has gone upside down. It happened at speed. Mitchell Johnson

inspired Australia to take a 2-0 lead. England's batting fell apart.

A sorrowful performance by England. We are going to get annihilated in

this one. I think their mind is not right. They are not there as a team.

It is beginning to unravel. They had lost the thread and the Ashes by the

end of the third test in putt for England, this feels like the end of

something. How they are any cricket playing nation could do with Sachin

Tendulkar, one of the greatest batsmen of all, who retired in

November. A hero to millions of Indians are all just wanted one last

glimpse of Sachin Tendulkar in their colours. 2013's women's Ashes was

more colourful than ever. It wasn't just about playing test cricket in a

new format. England won and again, unlike the men, they hold the ass is

going to 2014. When it came to picking one sports person above all

of the others who triumphed in the last 12 months, perhaps it can only

go to one man. The 2013 Sports Personality of the Year is Andy

Murray. Andy Murray picked up his Sports Personality of the Year

trophy in Miami, where he is planning his next year.