The Year in Sport Review

sporting highlights in Review

2017: The Year in Sport.

Hello and welcome along to look back

at what has been a fantastic year in

sport.

From the women's Cricket

World Cup to the British and Lions

tour of New Zealand and every thing

else in between. We will have it

all.

Huge nights across the world

and plenty of them in the stadium.

The world athletics and power

athletics Championships came this

summer. It is the last chance to see

some of them compete.

Stood like a

colossus over this sport for so

long. The cameras trained on one

man. A moment of history they hope.

One more time for Mo Farah.

Two of

the sport's most iconic faces bid

farewell this summer. Britain's

shining knight, Sir Mo Farah, at it

again in London. Gold in the 10,000

metres but is final I think

daily-macro outing delivered a

silver.

There's no place like it, I

enjoy the journey. This moment makes

it special and you want to forget.

Usain Bolt said goodbye the good.

But the golden farewell it wasn't to

be. Justin Gatlin wins it. London

created more superstars. Take Isaac

McCollough, not allowed to compete

due to illness. He found a way, alt

on his own against the clock,

pressing his case with no fairy tale

ending. What of pressure, banned as

a whole, but eight neutral athletes

were allowed to compete. A place

British athletes seldom stud. The

relay teams finished on a high. The

women's four by 100 picked up the

silver, just in time to cheer on the

men. I golden ending for Great

Britain, on top of the world as one

of the greatest walked away.

That

followed yet another impressive

world Para Athletics Championships

the GB. Hannah Cockroft took her

tally to ten world titles, with

another three in London. Including

the world record over 100 and is.

That was one of 32 world records

over the Championships. The 200

metres and Hollie Arnold in the

javelin. Jonnie Peacock delivered

yet again.

Like Jonnie Peacock, Adam Peaty

cannot be stopped. The medals on

world records keep piling up. This

it was Budapest, the world title

retained, the pace was even quicker.

I am more than happy to come here

and defend my title. Keep watching

as now, you can be in the Olympics

in four or eight years' time and

don't let anything stop it.

Tom

Daley also found gold in Hungary.

That has got to be gold for Tom

Daley.

All eyes in the footballing world

turn to the World Cup in Russia next

summer. England will be there.

Northern Ireland just fell short

against Switzerland. This year there

was a chance for the women's game to

shine. The European Championship in

the Netherlands was an opportunity

for these England players to get

their hands on a major trophy, but

by the end of the tournament, no one

could have predicted the fallout.

England arrived in the Netherlands

in buoyant mood, expectant of

success. Jody Taylor's goals, five

in total, helped England get into

the last four.

Over the goalkeeper

and another. It is in. It is in.

Unfortunately, it all fell apart.

More semi final heartache for

England's women. Glory and defeat

soon turned for manager Mark Samson,

he was sacked after details of

inappropriate behaviour with female

players after his time at Bristol

merge. After being cleared of

discrimination against any Aluko, an

investigation found he was guilty of

ill judged attempt at humour. Both

home nations are on course to reach

the World Cup in 2019. The massacre,

the women's game had a one season

wonder, the spring series and

victory was Chelsea's. The men were

up the Premier League season. But

his team were denied a double by

Arsenal.

Giroud.

Arsene Wenger

becoming the most successful manager

in FA Cup history. Jose Mourinho led

Manchester United to silverware, the

League Cup and Europa League finding

residents in the north-west this

summer. While in Scotland, Celtic

beat all in front of them, all major

trophies were theirs as they went on

a 69 match unbeaten run. A new

record for the Scottish champions

and a huge one smashed over in

Paris. PSG signing name from

Barcelona for an eye watering £200

million. Some investment there and

won by the FA in England's future,

year when England youth teams

dominated major tournaments the

under 19 won the Euros. The under 17

and under 21 the World Cup.

World

champions in football and world

champions in boxing, nine British

men help that honour but only one

man made 2017 his own.

April 29 and the home of football

became the home of Anthony Joshua.

Wembley Stadium transformed into one

of the biggest nights in British

boxing history.

Throughout my boxing

career, I thought of Wladimir

Klitschko would potentially be

retired. Klitschko is very

respectful and I took inspiration

from Klitschko. When I was looking

up to him before I competed with

him. My hat to conduct myself

outside of the ring. The press

conference wasn't entertaining in

terms of flipping tables and

disrespecting each other. But where

it matters is in the ring.

The night

Joshua, the 90,000 inside and the

millions watching around the world,

will never forget. Klitschko

defeated. Six months later and

nearly 80,000 packed into Cardiff to

see him defend those titles against

Carlos Takam. A record indoor

attendance for a boxing match.

This

sets up for when the real challenges

present themselves on just stop

cementing your name in the history

books. That is what 2017 represents.

Don't lose focus, now the hard work

begins.

2017 was the year George

Groves finally became world champion

while Ryan Burnett became a unified

champion at bantamweight. Across the

Atlantic, a circus like no other

rolled into Las Vegas. Conor

McGregor against Floyd Mayweather.

Mixed Martial arts superstar against

the self-proclaimed best ever boxer.

The boxer won.

In gymnastics, Ellie Downie made

history in Romania becoming the

first British woman to reach all

five finals and take-home gold in

the all-around final. She left with

four medals in total and wasn't the

only record-breaker, as Max Whitlock

defended his pommel title in

Montreal. Another first for GB.

Oh

my word.

Jonathan Ray was another

man making history, a third

consecutive Superbike crown the

Norriston Irishman. The tae kwon do

champion successfully defended her

heavyweight champ Jade Jones

defended her title. And the World

Championship crown could not be

wrestled away from the Jester from

Leicester.

The champion, Mark Selby.

Lewis Hamilton knows what it takes

to be a winner. The three-time world

champion wanted more in 2017.

Valtteri Bottas replacing Nico

Rosberg who retired. One familiar

face gone, but another was lurking.

The season opener in Melbourne in

Australia and Sebastian Vettel, not

Hamilton, was suddenly the man to

beat. Shanghai, China and a return

for Hamilton. This year's title

challenge was set. By the time they

got to Montreal there was not much

between them. Three wins apiece.

Silverstone, and a homecoming like

no other. Hamilton, a five-time

winner now with the British Grand

Prix. Up there with Jim Clark, one

of the greats. The turning point in

the championship came in Singapore.

Sebastian Vettel on pole position,

and a crash. A big one. The German,

out. So to Verstappen and Kimi

Raikkonen. Hamilton, swept to

victory. And in Mexico City, three

races later... His status as

champion was confirmed. British

dominance on four wheels was

replicated on two, thanks to this

man, Chris Froome.

On the start line, I have a massive

target on my back. I know every

rider is looking at me and how to

beat me.

Even his own team-mates

fancied ago, Geraint Thomas became

the first Welshman to wear yellow.

He was keeping it warm the Chris

Froome. Stage four, he was back on

top, although he didn't have it all

his own way.

It was such a close

race. There was a stage in the Tour

de France where I lost the jersey

for a few days to the Italian. At

that point, we didn't know if I was

going to get it back. I certainly

hoped I would. But it could have

gone either way, right up until the

very last stage.

After over 2000

miles, the tour came to a time trial

in Marseille. Three contenders,

Chris Froome came out on top.

I have

won the Tour de France four times,

but each time, rolling into Paris, I

have welled up with tears. It is so

emotional. It marks the end of this

three-week journey. You have had

this massive challenge and you have

come out on top. It is an amazing

feeling.

But he didn't stop there.

Attention turned to Spain and the

Vuelta.

I have learned were high

have made mistakes in the past,

where I have fell short in the past,

and how to improve on that.

And some

improvement it was as he became only

the third man to win the Tour de

France and the Vuelta in the same

year.

I am still motivated to keep

trying to win another Tour de

France. As long as the body is able

to do this, I am going to keep

going.

But the year ended under a

cloud after news of an adverse drug

test at the Vuelta came to light.

Chris Froome had doubled the allowed

amount of legal asthma medication in

his your ring sample. He has denied

any wrongdoing and is cooperating

with the authorities to explain the

levels. He says he took the greatest

care to make sure he didn't use more

than the permissible dose.

British success wasn't limited to

individual brilliance in 2017. Then

Rugby union the six Nations and

women's Welker producer men trolling

accountants, but the story of the

year featured the British and Irish

Lions, they went on the road to face

these guys, the world champions, the

all Blacks. New Zealand, beauty and

plenty of beaches. Nothing serene

about what greeted the British and

Irish Lions. Sam Warburton had to

recover from injury first. Six tough

challenges to get them warm came and

went, before the two Giants finally

went head to head. The all Blacks,

ready for the tourists and up for

the challenge. The comeback, with a

little help from Sonny Bill

Williams. His early departure

helping the rampaging Lions get back

on level terms.

We have got to head

to Auckland and it is one each.

We

didn't even celebrate when the final

whistle went, we only won one half

of rugby.

80 minutes, winner takes

all. The All Black where in charge

early but Owen Farrell kicking them

back in. The match and series is

drawn.

Given the schedule, given how

tough the tour was to come to New

Zealand and draw the series, you

have got to be proud of that.

The

Lions with a share of the honours.

England nearly took them all home in

the six Nations, as their dominance

under Eddie Jones continued until

the final. Ireland ending their

unbeaten run of 18 matches. But the

championship was already run.

England's women would go one better.

Grand Slam champions with five wins

from five. The perfect preparation

for the defence of their World Cup

title and early performances

suggested they were at their best in

Ireland. While the hosts came

unstuck, England breezed into the

last four. A solid win over France

and England set up a final against

New Zealand. End to end action in

Belfast, but it wasn't being's day.

New Zealand, the new world

champions. In club rugby, another

triumphant year in Europe for

Saracens. As they successfully

defended their European Champions

Cup. Exeter Chiefs won their first

ever top-flight title, beating wasps

in the season finale. The Pro12

would become a pro 14 in 2017 with

two South African sides entering the

league. But before that, Welsh side

Scarlets won the title, beating

Munster. It was World Cup year in

rugby league and England made it to

the final for the first time in 22

years. The hosts and defending

champions Australia, just had too

much for Wayne Bennett's men. The

domestic season when two familiar

faces. Hull FC Challenge Cup under

lock and key their trophy cabinet.

They edged out Wigan Warriors in a

thrilling final at Wembley. One of

Super League's Super League grand

final, Leeds Rhinos won their eighth

title denying Castleford Tigers

their first.

In the US Super Bowl LI treated as

to the greatest comeback in the NFL

history. Tom Brady's New England

Patriot is overcoming at 25 point

deficit in the final quarter to beat

the Atlanta Falcons in overtime. Off

the field, protest throughout the

season against racial prejudice in

the United States continued into the

new season. Enable was crowned horse

of the year after winning six major

races in 2017, including BR to tree

on. The 14 to one shot, One For The

won the Grand National. Tina Cook,

Roz Kanter, Gemma Tattersall and

Wilson winning the first GB gold

medal in showjumping. And three gold

medals for the speed skater at the

World Championships in Rotterdam.

2017 was a year that Serena Williams

will never forget. It started with a

seventh win at this trail in open.

Her sister Venus defeated in the

final, but she wouldn't hold a

grudge for long as Serena announced

to the world she was pregnant and

had one in Melbourne in the early

stages. Baby Alexis came into the

world in September. Back on the

court, Johanna Konta try to fill the

void left by serene at Wimbledon.

The British timber one forced her

way past the world number one.

It

has been 39 years since a British

player was in the Wimbledon

semifinal.

The next challenge lay

ahead of Venus Williams.

Venus

Williams is back in the Wimbledon

final.

In the end, experienced held

true in the semifinal, but not in

the final. Andy Murray's year on the

court was won to forget. Hampered

with injuries, he bowed out of

Wimbledon to Sam Querrey. Roger

Federer swept in front of him to get

his hands on the famous trophy once

again. The rest of the honours were

shared out between himself and

Rafael Nadal. Harker to days gone

by. In golf, the day Sergio Garcia

had been waiting all his career for,

finally came. His battle with Justin

Rose at the Masters was thrilling

and forced into a play-off. The

second major title for Justin Rose

fell, as Andy Garcia finally got his

hands and that elusive first. Jordan

Spieth's job the 2018 is to hunt

down a career grand slam. His

victory at the open leaves him one

short of all four of them, just like

Rory McIlroy who has had a year to

forget. 2017 will be one Tommy

Fleetwood won't forget in a hurry.

The Southport golfer winning the

European order of merit.

I have

played golf and play great. I have

had so much good stuff going on.

Have been very lucky, one of those

years that has been amazing.

The

home of English cricket is steeped

in history and in 2017, England

added to Lourdes iconic moments. The

women's team won more silverware and

James Anderson cemented his legacy.

All that was before an Ashes Series

down under.

The winter trip to Australia didn't

start as well as expected with Ben

Stokes missing the action. England's

sites and retaining the famous and

quickly vanished, despite a positive

start to the first set Raqqa test,

as Australia simply do not lose in

Brisbane. Or in Adelaide. An Ashes

first, at day night Test match, but

under the floodlights, no joy for

England. Another win in Perth and

the famous urn was once again in

Aussie hands.

It was disappointing.

We haven't been blown away, we

haven't been completely outplayed.

We have put up some really good

performances, just not for long

enough.

Simple as that really. Back

came after some of success for

England's cricketers. James Anderson

became the first English player to

take 500 Test wickets and take his

place among greats. Joe Root took

over from Alastair Cooke as test

captain and guided the team

successfully through two tricky

series with South Africa and West

Indies. Security was on high alert

during the champions Trophy. The

tournament carrying on despite the

London attacks. Pakistan entered the

tournament as the lowest ranked

side, but finished on top, beating

England en route to a finale win

over neighbours and rivals, India.

The women's side would not come up

short. The World Cup arrived on

these shores and England make sure

it stayed here. There were didn't

start brightly. England upsetting

the odds with an opening day victory

over the hose. It would be the only

slip-up from England. They became

heroes, destined to World Cup glory.

A scramble against South Africa in

the last four showed they have the

mettle to see it through. And then,

Anya Shrubsole blasted her way to

India in the final. World

Championship status for England. But

what about the Ashes? Well, they

didn't enjoy their winter in

Australia. Their Ashes tournament,

mix of one-day T 20 and Test matches

went the way of their hosts. What a

year 2017 has been, world champions

all over the place and one of them

crowned BBC sports personality of

the year.

Mo Farah finishing the year offered

the famous trophy and hoping to

build on that success in 2018. The

Winter Olympics, the, what games in

Australia and the football World

Cup. So much more to come. A

fantastic year ahead, but the 2017,

that is about it. Thank you be

joining us. See you soon.