The Year in Sport Review

tennis rankings, Adam Wilde and Jess pricing are takers on a trip through

the year's sporting highlights, in the review 2016, the in sport.

Hello and welcome to Salford, the home of BBC sport.

With the Olympics, the Paralympics, the European Championship, and a

whole host of other major sporting events, 2016 was a year that began

full of optimism, and it did not disappoint.

2016 was eight years of extraordinary sporting achievement,

athletes striving to go faster, higher, stronger, if those were the

names then this is very much their award, heroes Parade, returning

Paralympics and Olympians, many are living up to the high expectations,

so many surpassing it. There's only one place really we can start this

review of 2016, and that is some 6000 miles away, from the murky

Manchester, Rio, where this heroes Parade, really began. Brazil

welcomes the world. But just two would be lining up

beside them after months of claims and revelations of widespread

doping? Russia were at the Olympics, their track and field team were not.

But as they say in sport you can only beat what is in front of you.

Team GB, at times, were beating everybody.

Adam Peaty takes Olympic call for Great Britain.

In the pool, the best British games for over a century. Above the waves

around the base, roaming in Rio was truly spectacular. And it is Great

Britain who are men's Olympic champions. It is carnival time for

Great Britain. History being written and then

rewritten. These were tales of triumph, passion, Britain confound

its golden touch. All games need their superstars, we had plenty.

Some catapulted themselves onto the biggest stage. For others, a final

flourish before a fond farewell. There were those that arrived as

superstars, Levi's legend. He is going what he always does, it is

called again. The triple trouble. The greatest ever. Andy Murray. A

double Olympic gold medallist. Some were making history. Some were

doing what no Brit had done before. Some award no one had done, for a

very long time. Justin Rose of Great Britain takes Olympic gold. Whilst

others, well, they were just doing what they have always done. Mo Farah

has gone, he is away, he is going to get gold for Great Britain again.

The double double. Arise Sir Mo Farah. But amidst such company even

giving everything might not be enough. At times it was... Trust.

That is the golden goal. Great Britain, they have won the Olympic

gold medal. Marvellous moments in the marvellous city, and that was

before the Paralympics arrived. When they did, those special moments just

kept on coming. 147 medals for Paralympics GB, 64 of them gold.

Again and again expectations were met, and then exceeded. You can see

a detailed review of all the Rio games on the BBC News channel over

the festive period. So many extraordinary achievements on which

to look back and enjoy. Thank you, Rio. Few people could have predicted

the scale of the success for Great Britain in Rio, but then perhaps

2016 was the year of unexpected triumphs. And there were no bigger

shocks anywhere than in the Premier League.

In the beginning I felt something special of -- but of course I could

never have imagined this. There were no odds I would have taken. 10

million to one, I would have thought, no, it is just wasting ?1.

It is impossible. In January, February... The more

that the games past, we started to believe, maybe, you know?

We are in the Champions League, man! Come on! There's only one chance in

life. This is our chance. The title has

gone for Tottenham. Claudio Ranieri, wins the Premier League, Leicester

City are the champions of England. Seeing my team do this it has been

amazing. We've done it! This is a team of players where they

have been plucked from other clubs, free transfers, it is just the most

incredible achievement, I believe, in British sport.

I cannot get my head around it. I think it is genuinely the biggest

sporting shock in... Probably all sport. I cannot think of anything

that surpasses it in team sports. And it means I have to wear my pants

presenting much of the dates? The fans are dreaming. Keep dreaming.

Why wake up? A repeat of that season was always a

lot to ask but they did continue the journey into the Champions League.

There were hopes of another upset in the FA Cup, Crystal Palace went

ahead, but their joy would not last. A rare moment of triumph for Louis

Van Gaal is his reign came to a rather inevitable end. The League

Cup went to Manchester also, city defeating Liverpool on penalties,

the Reds were also defeated in the Europa League final. Manchester

clubs dominated the domestic cup competitions, the woman also did

their bit, Manchester City winning the Continental cup in the woman's

super league. A more established name and the FA Cup. Arsenal ladies

winning for a 14th time in front of a record crowd. In Scotland, Celtic

were champions again. With Glasgow city dominant in the women's game,

and at Hampden Park, the long wait for a Scottish Cup ended for Hibs.

And Celtic, League Cup champions, after it was awarded for a second

time in 2016. But for the other home nations, well, plenty of tales to

tell from their summer holidays. With Wales, Northern Ireland, and

England, all making it to the European Championship in France,

hopes were high for a summer to remember. But at times those

memories were threatened with being tarnished, violent England fans a

worrying reminder of tournaments gone by. On the pitch,

disappointingly it was the same story. A late Russian equaliser in

Marseille set the tone for another tournament to forget. A horrible end

to the night. But whilst they were underachieving, Northern Ireland and

Wales, well, they were far exceeding expectations. 2-0, Niall McGinn! For

those, it was a first European Championship. Even a late, late

defeat against England could not stop the Wales journey. Air a high

note for England, but it was Wales who carried on the song. Ramsey,

on-site, Aaron Ramsey with a chip, and Wales have the lead! Ramsey, we

think it through to Gareth Bale, he is onside, surely this time... Wales

3-0 Russia. That is what it means to the fans. Look at them. In Paris

they would meet Northern Ireland. What a moment for everybody

involved. Only one team could progress, a heartbreaking end for my

colonial's team, in particular, Gareth McAuley. Another Welsh win,

and they go to the quarterfinals. With the Northern Ireland Truman

over they left with plenty of credit and plenty of new friends. If only

the same could be said for England. Ahead against one of the

tournament's big surprises, Iceland, it did not last. Iceland have turned

it round, they lead. Defeat was as humbling and humiliating as anything

in living memory. There is disbelief right around the ground. From

England fans, and Iceland supporters. The England manager, Roy

Hodgson, has resigned in the past few minutes... Now was the time for

somebody else to oversee the progress of this young, hungry,

extremely talented group. So it was left to Wales to fly the

flag for the home nations, a quarterfinal against Belgium,

perhaps the most magnificent night in their football history. Williams!

Towards Robson Carnot. Taylor is available. What a touring, and a

goal. Go and wake your kids up. Something special is happening here

tonight. Wales are going into the semifinal! Portugal were waiting.

For most fans, even beyond their wildest dreams, passion,

determination, and the desire, had carried them further than anybody

thought possible, but even all that just was not quite enough. It is all

over for Wales. It will be Portugal in the final on Sunday. Welcome to

the end of the month long party. Too upset that fringe party, Portugal

took the time. 109 minutes, to be precise. But the wait for a first

major tournament win was over. The stadium is stunned. Kings of Europe.

Portugal. Back home, for Wales, hopes that this now might begin a

new era of success. Wales came to the airport and I got my shoe and my

book signed. For England, a new era also. But there would be no success.

Tonight at ten, a significant error of judgment means that Sam Allardyce

is no longer the England football manager. He had been in the job for

just two months. The FA has terminated its contract with

immediate effect... So in came Gareth Southgate, the third manager

in as many matches for England. And as the football Association

continued to recover, above them, Fifa we trying to start afresh with

a new man in charge of rescuing the damaged reputation of the

organisation. Danny Willett was not even supposed

to be at the US Masters, let alone win it, but the early arrival of his

baby son are looking to take part. His round finished, he watched on

from the courthouse as a Jordan Spieth collapsed. A quick call to

tell his new family that he would be bringing home a very special

souvenir. The 2016 US Masters champion, Danny Willett... There was

a first major winner two at Royal Troon in the Open Championship, an

astonishing final round from Henrik Stenson and in the claret jug. In

the woman's British Open, we are in Chana Gann became the first major

champion from Thailand, in fact this was a year of maiden major winners,

Dustin Johnson taking the US open and Jimmy Walker securing the PGA.

All this made for one of the most eagerly anticipated Ryder cups in

recent memory. Raucous, emotionally charged, as we have come to expect,

but, for Europe, they could not quite live up to the expectation, a

first US triumph since 2008. 2016 was full of success for sporting

great, but that still only one who can lay claim to being the greatest.

And this was the year we said goodbye. In June, Dali died at the

age of 74. We will not see like again. Boxing owes him a great debt,

for British fighters and has been some year. They now have a

glittering array of world champions. But Tyson Fury is no longer amongst

them, his battles outside of the Ring continue. In Formula One, Lewis

Hamilton was the defending champion, with his eyes and a fourth world

title. The season began in Melbourne, and he quickly realise

retaining that crown would not be easy. Victory for team-mate, Nico

Rosberg, in the opening race, Hamilton second, the town set for

the season. By the time they reach Barcelona the lead of Rosberg was 43

points, on the track they too would be much closer. A crash on that one

open the door for Max Mushtaq tapping, Formula One's youngest ever

race winner. At Silverstone Hamilton was out on his own, leading from

start to finish, now just one point separated the pair. But in Malaysia

Hamilton's hopes appeared to go up in smoke. So down to the jewel in

the desert in Abu Dhabi. Victory for Hamilton, but it was not enough to

stop Nico Rosberg winning his first world title. It came just days

before his shock retirement. The year in rugby union began as

always with a bang, in the six Nations tournament, and whilst all

teams had their moments, the story of success was built here at the

home of English rugby. They had been, a site in crisis, but a new

coach, a new captain, and suddenly they were looking like a new team,

and in this tournament, nobody could compete.

A glorious Grand Slam one on foreign shores but built in England. Fowler,

just the beginning, they had to go to the other side of the world to

see just how far they had come. A 3-0 whitewash of Australia and again

the rugby world was taking note, fittingly, it was back at

Twickenham, against Austria, that England completed the flawless year.

They have beaten everybody put before them. In the woman six

Nations, France were crowned champions. Whilst in the club game

Saracens were all conquering, premiership and Champions Cup

winners, core triumphing in the pro 12. Welcome to Wembley Stadium for

one of the showpiece events of the sporting summer. In rugby league

2016 was a year history making achievement and heartbreaking near

misses. Alessi had famously never won at Wembley, ahead, just, against

Warrington, but they managed to cling on, as the Wolves agonisingly

it slip. Listen to the noise. The black-and-white. Warrington did win

the league shield, when it really mattered, at the grand final, again,

they fell short. Just, C, Wigan are the super league champions. The four

nations then was there an opportunity to test British rugby

league against the game down under, for Scotland, the progress continues

apace. A draw with New Zealand, their greatest ever result. For

England, disappointment. Defeat to the Kiwis and then eventual winners

Australia shows the northern hemisphere is still some way behind.

England's hearts are being ripped out.

For England's cricketers, an eventful year. An historic series

win over South Africa, and then against Sri Lanka, captain, Alastair

Cook, became the youngest batsman ever to 10,000 test runs. Series

against Pakistan, Bangladesh, and I, were rather less successful, but the

real heartbreak came at the world T20, all the way to the final,

before falling final hurdle. Victory battered from their grasp, Carlos

Brathwaite and the West Indies, uncontrollable, Ben Stokes and

England, inconsolable. It was a double for the West Indies as they

claimed the women's title as well. Drama only rivalled by the end of

the County Championship season. Middlesex, winners, and one of the

tightest finishes in years. So much of sport is about getting across the

line first. 33/1 shot rule the world lived up to his name, winning the

Grand National. On-board was teenager, David Mullings, proving

that even on his 169 running, this great rate is still a couple of

fairy tales. There are others for whom crossing that line first is now

a familiar feeling. A third to de France title for Chris Froome, it

feels amazing, I mean, it really could be the first one all

over it is just such a special, it is a combination of months of hard

work, of Almighty made, all the support of the team, and what it

symbolises, standing in this final podium, on the Shamsul user here in

Paris, it is just,... It is monumental, such an amazing feeling.

But being the first to cross the line is not always everything.

Getting to the finish can be a triumph also. 2016 was the year of

the 1,000,000th finisher of the London Marathon. Just a little

behind Jim Imus Omron, and Elliot Chaudhry, who missed the world

record by an agonising seven seconds. Getting to the end, just,

was Johnny Brownlee. The heat of Cozumel taking its toll, even on one

of sport's very best. Being helped toward the line by his brother,

Alistair, one of the defining images of the. Second place, and second

place overall in the world triathlon series. But there are some who won't

mind being put to the line. Just 13 minutes after Leicester City won the

Premier League, another of the city's sons, Mark Selby, became the

World Snooker champion. Quite a double celebration.

Even in this crowded year of sport of this corner of South West London

remains centrestage, for two summer weeks at least, there history is

rich in glory and triumph, still, for the British, Wimbledon had

remained, for that one, something just to watch and admire. More

recently, and in 2016 in particular, there was so much here to celebrate.

The crowds stayed always come, and now with a little added expectation,

to go with all that hope. Having lost the Australian

Vienna French Open finals, Andy Murray was again the flag bearer for

British tennis, but these days he is not quite alone. The Brodie on the

other side of the net, and the all British VAT and the round one, the

signs are encouraging is the result was. And it is a welcome back to

this FW 19th for Andy Murray, straight sets. For Murray there

would be tougher times ahead, not in round two. For a moment, it looked

like he was in trouble, but it was only a moment. A tour de force from

Andy Murray. John Millman, flawed in straight sets, Murray, through to

but something far less familiar was happening on Court one. There will

be no Novak Djokovic in week two at Wimbledon. There was no way chance

for Andy Murray. All he had to do was take it. Against Nick curiosity

that is exactly what he did. Ruthless, clinical, and he is a

quarterfinalist yet again. But if you was making things look simple,

the quarterfinal, against a Jo Wilfred Tsonga, was anything there

will be no Novak Djokovic in week two at Wimbledon. There was now a

chance for Andy Murray. All he had to do was take it. Against Nick

curiosity that is exactly what he did. Ruthless, clinical, and he is a

quarterfinalist yet again. But if you was making things look simple,

the quarterfinal, against Jo Wilfred Tsonga, was anything arms raised

aloft, another triumph on centre. A five set marathon. Thomas Berdych in

the semifinal proved little obstacle. Andy Murray in straight

sets, a demolition job, really. That is Sunday afternoon taking care of.

The men's singles final is between Mule is Routledge Canada and Andy

Murray of Thomas Berdych in the semifinal proved little obstacle.

Andy Murray in straight sets, a demolition job, really. That is

Sunday afternoon taking care of. The men's singles final is between meal

is Routledge Canada and Andy Murray of Great Britain. He is there.

Straight sets again. Wimbledon champing, and again, a supreme

performance, a first-class tournament. Andy Murray. For the

woman's Trophy, another familiar name. The Wimbledon champion, Serena

Williams. A 22nd grand slam title, equalling the record by Steffi Graf.

But this year at Wimbledon had a very British fiddle. Heather Watson,

mixed doubles champion. Jordan while, wheelchair doubles champion.

And as for Gordon Reid, he was peerless, winning the wheelchair

doubles with Alfie Hewitt before going it alone to take he is there.

Straight sets again. Wimbledon champing, again, a supreme

performance, a first-class tournament. Andy Murray. For the

woman's Trophy, another familiar name. The Wimbledon champion, Serena

Williams. A 22nd grand slam title, equalling the record by Steffi Graf.

But this year Wimbledon had a very British fiddle. Heather Watson,

mixed doubles champion. Jordan while, wheelchair doubles champion.

And as for Gordon Reid, he was peerless, winning the wheelchair

doubles with Alfie Hewitt before going it alone to take the singles

title. Brilliant moment for British tennis. And it was a story that

would just get better. . Good luck Andy, you have always been our

number one, we love you. Go on, world number one, win it. Come on,

you can do this. You are world number one and you should stay good

luck Andy, you have always been our number one, we love you. Go on,

world number one, win it. Come on, you can do this. You are world

number one and you should stay number one. Game, set and match,

Andy Murray. 2-0, 6-2, 6-1. Wimbledon and Olympic champion, Andy

Murray, finishing the year ranked as the best in the world. His brother,

Jamie, doubles world number one, with Gordon Reid also at the top and

Johanna Konta in the top ten, it has been an incredible year for British

tennis. And there was still one more piece of history to be made. Nobody

had ever been awarded the BBC sports personality of the year three times,

game, set and match, Andy Murray. 2-0, 6-2, 6-1. Wimbledon and Olympic

champion, Andy Murray, finishing the year ranked as the best in the

world. His brother, Jamie, doubles world number one, with Gordon Reid

also at the top and Johanna Konta in the top ten, it has been an

incredible year for British tennis. And there was still one more piece

of history to be made. Nobody had ever been awarded the BBC sports

personality of the year three times, few have ever done more to deserve

it than Andy Murray. . The BBC sports personality of the year 2016

is Andy Murray. It has been an amazing year for sport and I am very

proud to be a part of it, thank you, I hope you all have a the BBC sports

personality of the year 2016 is Andy Murray. It has been an amazing year

for sport and I am very proud to be a part of it, thank you, I hope you

all have a great a rugby league World Cup, and the Ashes, there's

plenty to look forward to. Thank you for watching.