The A to Z of Sports: 2024 Highlights

 

A for Aman Ki Asha

Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem showed sports can rise above politics. At the Olympics, Nadeem claimed gold, leaving Chopra with silver. Despite the rivalry, the athletes shared mutual respect, highlighted when Nadeem wished Chopra on his birthday.

 

B for Ballon d’Or Drama

A leaked result claimed Rodri would win, sparking outrage and a Real Madrid boycott. Vinicius Jr. eventually won FIFA’s Best Player award, but tensions remained high.

 

C for City’s Collapse

Manchester City’s dream season turned into a nightmare. After four straight Premier League wins, they struggled with losses, legal troubles, and confusion on the field, leaving Pep Guardiola visibly frustrated.

 

D for Dravid’s Departure

Rahul Dravid ended his coaching stint on a high, guiding India to a T20 World Cup win. Gautam Gambhir took over, facing immediate challenges with mixed results.

 

E for Esports Explosion

Saudi Arabia hosted the Esports World Cup and announced plans for the 2034 Football World Cup. With the Olympic Esports Games set for 2025, the gaming world continues to grow.

 

F for Five-Thousandths of a Second

In a thrilling 100m race, Noah Lyles edged past Kishane Thompson by just 0.005 seconds, making it one of the closest finishes in history.

 

G for Gukesh's Chess Glory

18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju claimed the World Chess Championship, defeating China’s Ding Liren. Despite some criticism of play quality, Gukesh put India on top.

 

H for Hundred Grams

Vinesh Phogat missed an Olympic medal due to being overweight by just 100 grams. Her journey from protests to the mat proved her resilience.

 

I for Impasse in Golf

The PGA Tour-LIV Golf feud left fans disappointed as the world’s best golfers rarely competed against each other.

 

J for Javelin Justice

Navdeep Singh won gold at the Paralympics after Iran’s Beit Sayah Sadegh was disqualified for rule violations, turning silver into a golden moment.

 

K for Khel Ratna

Shooter Manu Bhaker’s Olympic double bronze made headlines. Her journey to India’s highest sports honor inspired millions.

 

L for Lamine Yamal

At Euro 2024, Yamal, a teenager, stunned everyone with his skill, becoming the talk of the tournament amidst drama and underdog stories.

 

M for Mondo’s Magic

Pole vaulter Armand Duplantis broke the world record twice this year, with his 6.25m jump in Paris leaving fans awestruck.

 

N for Next-Gen Tennis Stars

With Nadal retired and Federer gone, Djokovic carried the Big Three legacy. But Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz dominated 2024’s Grand Slams.

 

O for Olympics in Paris

The Paris Olympics brought unforgettable moments, from swimming champion Leon Marchand to Simone Biles’s triumphant return.

 

P for Paris’ Hero

Leon Marchand became a national icon, winning four golds and electrifying home crowds with his record-breaking swims.

 

Q for Queen’s Anthem

“We Are the Champions” echoed across Paris as India celebrated hockey victories, rekindling the magic of Chak De! moments.

 

R for Row Over Gender

Olympic boxers Lin Yu-ting and Imane Khelif faced gender eligibility controversies but silenced critics with their performances.

 

S for Sunil Chhetri’s Farewell

Indian football bid goodbye to its legend as Chhetri retired. Despite his efforts, India’s struggles on the Asian stage continued.

 

T for Twisties No More

Simone Biles returned stronger at the Paris Olympics, claiming three golds and proving mental strength is just as important as physical.

 

U for Ups and Downs of Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé’s roller-coaster year saw him leave PSG for Real Madrid amidst controversies, injuries, and a masked World Cup performance.

 

V for Viral Moments

From unique athlete celebrations to unforgettable fan reactions, 2024 was filled with moments that lit up social media.

 

W for Whitewash Woes

New Zealand crushed India in a historic 3-0 Test series sweep, exposing weaknesses in India’s overconfidence on spin-friendly pitches.

 

X for X Factor

Social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), remained a key platform for sports buzz, though some athletes sought quieter alternatives.

 

Y for Yusuf’s Cool Pose

Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec became an internet sensation for his laid-back, stylish pose at the Olympics.

 

Z for Zzz... and Thrills