As a sports fan I am really looking forward to the coming months when sports will take centre stage across the world. Listed in no particular order are sporting events that appeal to me and I will for most of the time be glued to the television watching them at every opportunity.
- Current clay court tennis climaxing with the French Open in Paris 20th May – 9th
- Grass court tennis culminating with the fortnightly All England Wimbledon Championships 1st – 14th July where along with my wife and others I have been fortunate to visit and watch tennis on Centre Court at least ten times over the years.
- Hard court tennis climaxing at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York 26th August – 8th September where I have visited and watched tennis on at least five occasions.
- The UEFA European Football Championships14th June -14th July hosted by Germany.
- The 2024 Paris Olympics 24th July – 11th August where I have to be partial in saying that I cannot wait to see the Caribbean athletes and especially the Jamaicans, to use a colloquial phrase ‘Mash up di track.’ This every four-year sporting spectacular with such a vast array of sports is one that will certainly be the highlight of the summer of sports.
Interestingly the following new events have been added to this year’s Olympic Games schedule and only time will tell whether they become popular: 1. Breakdancing 2. Kayak Cross 3. Kite Boarding 4. Men’s artistic swimming 5. Marathon race walk mixed relay. I hasten to add that I never watch any walking races as find them incredibly boring.
Another point worthy of note about the television Olympic coverage, since twice as a family we were visiting the Bahamas and New York; the commentary from the American television stations was biased and focused on the American athletes even when they were not in a winning position. I vowed never to be in the States again during the period of the Olympic Games as America is not the only competing country and the patriotism to that level was off the scale.
- The West Indies cricket team will be touring England with three test matches and one day games for most of July. I will dip in and out of these matches as although I used to watch cricket at Kingston’s Sabina Park cricket ground in the 1970’s, I am not that keen on the present-day crop of players who really need to up their game. Some of us still harper for the glory days when the West Indies cricket team dominated on the world stage.
- The Formula One Grand Prix which started in January continues until the end of the year.
- The athletics Diamond League which started earlier in the year runs throughout the summer.
- The climax of the European cycling season 29th June to 21st July is the Tour De France with riders competing over several stages for the yellow jersey
Then there is horse racing including Royal Ascot 18th – 22nd June and the Epsom Derby on 1st June. There are the usual major golf tournaments which I cannot stand at all (apologies to golf aficionados) despite the achievements of Tiger Woods. For me this sport is like watching paint dry or grass grow although I accept how technical it must be to hit a hole in one.
Sports fans will be at events cheering on competitors as some win and others lose. Others will be in pubs or in public spaces watching on big screens soaking up the atmosphere. I will be at home shouting and cheering at the TV screen on occasions but certainly not throwing objects at it or spilling drinks on the carpet!!
Bring it on as I cannot wait for the action, excitement, spills and thrills to unfold. Some of these sports are so gladiatorial and as some would say it is not the winning that counts but the taking part. My take is may the best athlete or team win and one must add be free of any performance enhancing drugs.
Here’s to a happy summer of glorious sports for us to appreciate as spectators, what the human body can achieve with hard work, discipline and focus.
London born Tony Kelly of Jamaican parents grew up in Jamaica and returned to live in Birmingham in 1979.
He is a graduate of Mico Teachers’ College and taught in Kingston high schools prior to working for 30+ years as a middle manager in central and local government with an emphasis on equity, equality, diversity and inclusion. He has a masters’ degree in socio-legal studies from the university of Birmingham.
For over a decade Tony has volunteered as a diabetes ambassador firstly for Diabetes UK and now for the National Health Service - Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group. A multi-award winner doing a yearly average of 150 health and well-being events, locally, nationally and internationally focusing on type 2 diabetes. He was diagnosed with this medical condition 18 years ago. However with a combination of physical activity and diet he has never taken medication thus proving with the right mindset and discipline it can be achieved.
As a diabetes advocate/activist Tony will continue delivering the message of healthy options to readers of CaribDirect.com .
1 comment
Great Post