Tag: Sport

Sport is doing its best to get back to normal in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The risk of a positive test remains, but the biggest impact on this year's calendar will be the need to host the World Cup in winter.

Here's a look at 10 things we learned from a year of sports.

England had to wait for the right moment

The World Cup again brought more disappointment for England, as Harry Kane missed a penalty in their 2-1 quarter-final loss to France.

But despite the disappointment after the loss, Britain is hopeful that a new golden generation is on the way. Ten members of this squad are under the age of 25, and a few of them have passed the age of 32 for the next World Cup in four years.

Meanwhile, a host of talent including Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Jadon Sancho, Emile Smith Rowe and Harvey Elliott will be looking to take the next step.

Sport remains linked to politics

History has shown that the idea that politics has no place in sports is always wrong, but the relationship remains complex.

For a minute, the Board of Directors hastened to adopt a certain message by proudly flying the Ukrainian flag at major sporting events, as evidenced by the official adoption of the call for peace after Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Then, you can write to FIFA, asking all participating nations to "focus on football", threatening penalties for promoting the message of inclusion and Gianni Infantino's publicly aggressive rhetoric the day before. kick.

Sport remains a powerful force in world affairs, if not for usually its leaders.

"major league"

Chelsea's forced sale resulted in a whopping £4.25 billion fine against former Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

The Premier League's owners quickly reassessed the value of their assets, and by the end of the year, the league's two most respected brands, Manchester United and Liverpool, were up for sale.

The tale continues

Football financier Kieran Maguire has described it as "the last of the Premier League", suggesting that the owners believe the club won't be worth more than it is now after the failure of the Europa League project and the big picture has more power at the top.

English cricket is heading towards danger

Duo Ben Stokes and Brendon McCollum have revived the fortunes of a struggling Test team and pushed the boundaries of what the format can create.

Both are natural gamblers and forwards and have taken the team's philosophy in fearless new directions.

New women's coach Joanne Lewis will follow suit, which means next year's Summer Ashes pairing should be a good showing.

Rugby is in crisis

Shock waves were sent through the rugby club in October as Wasps and Worcester went into administration within 13 days, relegated from the top flight in England and relegated to the Championship.

Both clubs cited the pandemic as a factor in the financial loss, but the RFU rejected claims that "the bankruptcy is not their fault", saying other factors also played a role. The Football Association's chief executive Bill Sweeney said it showed England's current rugby model was "broken".

Ronaldo's embarrassing departure

Cristiano Ronaldo has built an extraordinary career thanks to his talent and determination. His big ego and fuel results are an essential part of the formula that made him one of the greatest athletes of all time.

But now he is about to leave first Manchester United, and now Portugal. His shocking interview with Piers Morgan was a letter of resignation to United after being left out of Erik ten Hag's plans.

Goncalo found himself on the bench for Ramos amid rumors of a World Cup blowout, and Ramos' hat-trick certainly made the situation permanent.

Champions League-seeking free agent Ronaldo has found suitors and intends to make his career in the Middle East.

Good things have come to those who wait

When Eve Muirhead led Great Britain to gold at the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February, it was the end of a long streak.

Since becoming the youngest jumper to win the world curling title in 2013, Muirhead has struggled with the disappointment of her previous three Olympics, including only a bronze medal in 2014.

His fortunes appear not to have changed: first his team failed to qualify for the Olympics at last year's World Cup in Calgary, then tested positive for Covid before the final round of qualifying.

After going to Beijing, they got stuck in the round robin but somehow made it to the finals. They made no mistakes when they were there and led Japan to a 10-3 victory.

Long football ban

In May, 17-year-old Blackpool striker Jake Daniels came out as gay, making him England's only active player. The teenager has been widely praised for telling his story, but his fame shows how far football still has to go.

Many wondered if other players would follow suit, especially with focus ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

But two years later, the Justin Fashanu Foundation published a letter from an anonymous Premier League player who said he was too afraid to quit because the game didn't reach out to the community, and no one else did.

Poor title?

Formula 1 fans, never satisfied with Max Verstappen winning the 2021 championship from Lewis Hamilton at the end of last season, had yet another reason to add an asterisk to the October results, when Red Bull was found guilty of breaching the payment cap. last year.

Ross Brawn had previously claimed such an offense would cost the team the title, but with the offense considered minor, Red Bull lowered its fine-tunnel and wind test.

This wasn't enough to prevent the tensions in the ring from becoming more toxic in the final weeks of the season, as the bad feelings are unlikely to pass before the next season.

The Birmingham Commonwealth Games present the future

When the 22nd Commonwealth Games began in Birmingham at the end of July, the future of the event was in question. Games seen as historical anachronisms must prove that they can be relevant to the modern world.

And for 11 days, Birmingham showed what it was all about, hosting the Olympic Games like no other city had seen before, as fans filled the stands and created an atmosphere of joy that could celebrate both the event and the victory. Cost mentality elsewhere.

Birmingham by no means solves all problems, but it does point the way forward.

Ghana 3-South Korea 2..10 things we learned from the match🔥🔥

Which sport has had the most NCAA transfers? It originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Athletes are always taught not to settle for perfection.

While this mindset can work well when preparing for sports, it can also lead to unpredictability and movement in the sports environment. This is especially true for college players who skip the NCAA schedule in an attempt to find a better fit.

The introduction of the NCAA Transfer Portal in 2018 made the transfer process more efficient for student-athletes who wish to play at another organization.

Most recently, the sports world saw Clemson's DJ Uyagalelei enter the transfer window on Monday after two struggling seasons with the Tigers in one of the biggest upsets under head coach Dabo Swinney.

But which sports typically have the most assists in college athletics? Let's break it down.

What are the top 10 college sports?

Here are the sports with the most transfers in 2021, based on the percentage of athletes who transferred to that sport:

1. Men's basketball – 31% (1692 total)

2. Women's basketball – 22% (total 1134)

3. Baseball – 18% (total 2126)

4. Calcium – FBS – 16% (total 2538)

5. Beach volleyball – 15% (total 167)

6. Men's football – 13% (total 755)

7. Men's tennis – 13% (total 325)

8. Football – FCS – 12% (2,538 total)

9. Women's volleyball – 12% (total 650)

10. Women's tennis – 12% (total 340)

Other transfers:

1. Men's hockey – 12% (total 205)

2. Softball – 11% (total 764)

3. Women's football – 9% (total 909)

4. Men's Lacrosse – 9% (321 total)

5. Men's athletics – 8% (total 905)

6. Women's lacrosse – 8% (317 total)

7. Men's wrestling – 8% (207 total)

8. Women's hockey – 8% (total 63)

9. Men's skiing – 7% (total 327)

10. Men's Golf – 7% (222 total)

11. Women's Golf – 7% (162 total)

12. Women's athletics – 6% (total 864)

13. women's skiing – 5% (total 310)

14. Swimming and diving for women : 5% (total 266)

15. Men's swimming and diving – 5% (total 198)

16. Field hockey – 4% (total 75)

17. Rowing – 2% (total 105)

The story continues

* Data provided by NCAA ( h/t swimswam.com )

Which months have the most transfers?

According to the NCAA , the months with the most transfers in sports in 2021 are:

1. April 3091

2. March : 2775

3. June 2169

4. May 2160

5. January : 1326

6. December 1161

7. November : 1156

8. February 1017

9. October : 1001

10. September : 799

11. August : 676

12. July : 640

Nebraska Official Visitor Portal and Transportation Portal Class of 2023 + How Scratch Deals Work

• Logan Sarceant will become the first American driver since 2015 to drive for Williams in F1 next season.

• Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was asked about the American driver who made it to the grid.

• He said, if you don't want to win, the impact will not be enough.

Next year will see the first American Formula 1 driver in years, but according to one of the biggest names in the sport, the cultural impact on the US may be less than many predicted.

Williams Racing recently announced that 21-year-old American Logan Sargent will replace Nicolas Latif on its roster for the 2023 season. Sargent will become the first American driver in F1 and the first full-time driver to be an American driver, after Current IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi had five starts in 2015. A Scott Speed ​​driver who raced for Toro Rosso in 2006 and 2007.

Prior to Williams' announcement, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner asked a question about the growth of the sport in the United States during a special appearance on Bloomberg's Power Players show. He spoke of the potential impact of the American pilot with a series of benchmarks that the sergeant would have a hard time meeting.

“I think it keeps them busy,” Horner said, hinting at ways to keep Americans interested beyond the popular Netflix series Drive to Survive. "I think ultimately we also need a national hero. We need an American driver to lead the championship, not just for fun. To win the world and the nation."

Prior to Sargent's promotion to F2, there was considerable debate among American fans about the importance of having an American driver and whether the team could sign him for it.

Sargent is a talented driver – he finished fourth in F2 this season and won two races – so he's not in F1 just because he's American. However, he shouldn't be fighting for championships and winning races any time soon. Instead, he could spend a lot of time on or behind the field for a last-place Williams team in 2022.

the story continues

According to Horner, a significant effect on American sports fans is already taking place: increased interest in corporate America.

"It's unbelievable," Horner said. "Now we have several partners based in the US. We have a lead partner in Oracle that joined us this year. We have companies like AT&T. For example, we announced US entities like Exxon Mobil. The arrival of the American and Playing.

And it's not just Red Bull. There is an influx of companies based in the US or with strong ties to the US working with other teams and with F1 as a whole.

A case in point is the new F1 deal with Lenovo, a China-based technology company with a strong presence in the US. In its first year as an F1 partner, Lenovo is already a major sponsor of two races, in addition to supplying technology to F1.

A big part of this new attraction is the growing awareness, especially in the US, that F1 is the pinnacle of innovation.

“What better premium sport to truly align a brand than Formula 1?” Gerald Youngblood, Lenovo's director of marketing for North America, recently told Insider. "There are also very practical benefits in terms of our brand alignment and visibility with other brands that share this passion for innovation and have audiences that can appreciate the story Lenovo tells."

This perception of F1 is not new to its ardent fans, but it is to the corporate world. Five years ago, F1 only had one technology partner. In addition to Lenovo, F1 is now partnering with several technology companies, including US companies like AWS and Zoom.

You can watch Horner's full interview here:

Read the original Insider article

Christian Horner Union of Cambridge

Retired Canadian hockey player Theo Fleury criticized the National Hockey League (NHL) for politicizing the sport at Tucker Carlson Tonight.

Calgary Flames players responded to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Vice President Kim Davis calling for more diversity and people of color in the game, along with a tweet from the league’s official Twitter account: “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. – binary identity is real.”

“Were racial politics a big part of hockey when you played?” asked host Tucker Carlson.

“No, my God, no,” answered Fleury. “You know, I think the reason we’re all interested in hockey is because it’s fun. And secondly, no politics. You see, we do this sport because we really love it.

“For me personally, it was an escape from what was going on in my family life at the time. You know, I fell in love with the sport. You know, of course, I was very good at the field and continued my career in the outdoor game we usually play this, ”he added.

Host Tucker Carlson wonders why so few athletes are talking about the politicization of sport.

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DENNIS RODMAN ON CHINA’S NBA: “POLITICS DON’T JOIN SPORT”

“I think [it’s] really because we’re so divided, Tucker. Deep down, hockey players are, you know, compassionate, empathetic people; that’s something we don’t want to get involved in. C It’s a disagreement that we can’t win, you know,” explained Fleury.

© Rich Graessle/Getty Images. A public view of the NHL logo behind the goal on April 24, 2022 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Rich Grass/Getty Images

The 1989 Stanley Cup winner said it didn’t matter who played the sport as long as the players loved the game.

“It doesn’t matter to us who plays this sport, whether you’re transgender or gay or whatever. The reason we play this game and the reason it’s so cool and cool is because it’s for everyone.” We play this game because it is an escape from what is happening in our lives,” he said.

“Unfortunately, politics has no place in any sport, be it football, basketball, hockey [or] baseball. Politics should not be a part of any sport.”

What happened to hockey?

© Associated Press NASCAR courtesy of Phoenix Auto Racing

One of America's oldest motorsports publications launched a racing channel in 2023 with the network's development team.

Speed ​​Sport, which began in 1934 as National Speed ​​Sports News, announced Thursday that it has agreed with Obsession Media to debut SPEED SPORT 1 next spring.

SPEED SPORT 1 plans to stream over 400 live events and thousands of hours of motorsports content across free, linear, ad-supported TV streaming platforms. Other platforms currently described as FAST services include Paramount's Pluto TV, Comcast's Xumo, Fox's Tubi, Amazon Freevee, and The Roku Channel.

SPEED SPORT 1 plans to broadcast sporting events, news, information, behind the scenes, lifestyle programs and documentaries. It is produced by Obsession Media, a consortium of experienced motorsports and television executives from ESPN, Disney and MTV for the original motorsports platforms Speedvision and Speed ​​Channel.

Dan Tetchhead, Obsession Media's President of Distribution and Development, will become President and CEO of SPEED SPORT 1. He previously worked for MTV, ESPN and Disney.

“This is a unique opportunity to work with a dynamic team with incredible experience of automotive, TV and entertainment executives who have been directly involved in launching some of the most popular television brands,” said Titchaid.

Roger Werner, former CEO of ESPN and Outdoor Channel Holdings, will be an advisor and investor in SPEED SPORT 1. As an investor and advisor to Obsession Media, Werner founded the Speedvision Network in 1995 before selling it to FOX in 2001. Speed ​​Channel.

The channel will build on the legacy of the National Speed ​​Sports News, which was edited by the late journalist Chris Economic from 1950 until it went off the air in 2010. The National Speed ​​Sport News is the only auto racing newspaper. Available on microfilm at the Library of Congress. .

Turn 3 Media acquired the assets of National Speed ​​Sport News in 2011 and reorganized as Speed ​​Sport, part of its portfolio of publishing, digital media, broadcast and television content.

“We’re bringing back a dedicated motorsports channel that brings you the best racing moments from around the world, covering the titles winning AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart,” said Ralph Sheen. , President and Co-Founder of Speed ​​Sport. “SPEED SPORT 1 is TV for fans and Chris will love it.”

___

AP Auto Racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports.

Ross Chastain makes a tongue-tied move against Denny Hamlin to move into Championship 4 Motorsports on NBC

The opening ceremony of a major sporting event, according to the sports fan, is an outlet for those who enjoy the drama and spectacle of an international association but have little interest in the games.

They have become huge and extravagant art forms at the Olympics, from the stunning Bird's Nest in Beijing to the chilling fantasy London of 2012, but they have never been part of the world. the world of drinks Perhaps the only lasting memory of the opening ceremony is the loss of Diana Ross, who, fortunately, was targeted at the opening of the curtain in 1994. On Saturday, FIFA's multilingual president, Gianni Infantino, set the tone for the tournament's opening ceremony.

Sitting in a press conference with a series of sponsored articles in front of him like conveyor belts from The Game of Generations , Infantino passionately defended the tournament. “Today I feel like a Qatari,” he told the assembled delegation of world media. “Today I feel like an Arab. Today I feel like an African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel like a migrant worker.” His words fell like a kiss in Doha. You know you wrote the wrong post even when Alan Shearer calls it "garbage".

I doubt that in the coming years Infantino's cruel words will be perceived as a real opening of the tournament . But without that historical perspective, Sunday was a fitting start to the tournament, with an impressive display for the state of Qatar. The show begins with narration by Morgan Freeman and the strange introduction of sharks into the desert.

“I started traveling by land and by sea,” Freeman told the audience. “From this country we have heard the call to unite with the world, to return even for a moment to what can unite us…” When Freeman arrived at the Al-Bayt stadium, he was greeted by a packed crowd. Of course, all this was broadcast on Red Button and online, but none of this was heard by BBC One viewers who were watching a completely different show.

the story goes on

In a show featuring sexy, jerky dancers wearing cosmic ski goggles and the tournament's mascot, an anthropomorphic keffiyeh that floats through the air like a giant stingray, journalist Ross Atkins talks about Qatar's biggest scandal.

The BBC studio team of Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Alex Scott and Ashley Williams continued to handle football business (a bit of politics) with the stadium behind them lit up with sports lights. So BBC One viewers missed out on K-Pop superstar Jung Kook as he sang the official anthem for the 2022 World Cup, The Dreamers.

“We are dreamers,” he sings. "We do it because we believe in it." She flaunts the genderless androgyny that has made K-Pop one of the world's biggest cultural achievements, applauding Qatari singer Fahad Al Qubaisi, 41, who joins her on the song. This fusion of the great nations of South Korea and Qatar may not win any music awards, but as Freeman told the assembled masses, "What brings nations together also brings communities together."

Whatever that means. Meanwhile, BBC One is bringing in Jeremy Bowen, the BBC's legendary Middle East correspondent, for a geopolitical analysis. This perfectly compensates for Shearer's absurd statement that "every country has its own problems, including ours."

It didn't feel like reshuffling England's game with a Greta Thunberg lecture, but it was a killer reminder of the stakes and perhaps a fairer introduction to the issue than a red-button display of soft power. Although the question arises: why did this not happen at the 2018 World Cup in Russia? An exercise in cognitive dissonance, helped by the fact that, of course, Qatar vs. Ecuador is every bit as inspiring as the original draw (although Russia vs. Saudi Arabia in 2018 will have them fighting for their money).

The action is punctuated by rhythms strange for Ecuadorian fans who sing and scream but don't understand their place in this little piece of history. This is just one of the many surreal themes presented at the exhibition. the decision to move the opening ceremony to the Red Button meant that it was presented without explanation or explanatory text (including a speech in Arabic). It wasn't until Freeman appeared on the scene (after the all- powerful Evan had made it perfectly clear that he would do anything for a paycheck), spouting inspirational aphorisms, that I realized what was going on.

The two opening ceremonies, one broadcast worldwide and the other broadcast by the BBC, illustrate the challenges and opportunities of this World Cup. This is not a sports carnival like the one we saw in 2014 at the Maracana, but something divisive. Maybe now is the right time to see it in half. the duty of moral strictness remains with BBC One, while the obligations as an international broadcast partner are transferred to the digital periphery. The real question now is whether that tone will continue throughout the tournament.

Will they have Frank Gardner together in communications? Liz Doucette at the press conference? John Simpson doing secondary analysis? Or will they consider the job done? In any case, the next game should be easier for them. England vs Iran, Mr.

Players will arrive at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

© Canadian Soccer On Thursday, Canadian Soccer announced a partnership with the LGBT sports project You Can Play for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The Men’s World Cup in Qatar has drawn attention to human rights abuses in the country, with Canadian Soccer partnering with a group seeking to prevent homophobia in sport.

You Can Play is a project launched in 2012 to create an inclusive space for LGBT fans, players, coaches and everyone involved.

Same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar, and while the Qatari government welcomes all lovers, including those who identify as LGBTQ, visitors must respect the national tradition of publicly expressing affection for those they dislike.

The timing of the partnership is not coincidental as Canada prepares to participate in the World Cup for the first time in 36 years, said Earl Cochran, general secretary of Soccer Canada. Canada will also host the men’s World Cup in 2026, along with the United States and Mexico.

“It’s early stages, but it’s more about the message we want to send: No matter your sexuality, your gender identity, or who you choose to love, you have a place in this game,” Cochran told CBC Sports. “We’ve always believed it was, but we’ve never talked about it openly and openly. This is one of the important steps we’re taking now.”

Supporters of the popular Canadian team known as the Voyageurs have condemned human rights abuses in Qatar, including the treatment of migrant workers who came to build infrastructure for the tournament.

“We are appalled by the actions of the Qatari government against the country’s LGBTQ+ population and the many deaths that occurred during the construction of World Cup stadiums and infrastructure,” the club said, adding that they had joined other demands for public compensation. It is offered to families of deceased migrant workers.

Cochran said the association shows his company is listening to those concerns.

“On this occasion, we want to make sure that we’ve done everything we can and that we’re not thinking about enforcement or making statements that others might have,” he said. “We really want to make sure we’re doing something meaningful.

“We want to make a big impact on our sport and our country, not only nationally, but also internationally through football. In 2026, we will host the whole world, and this is an important step to prepare for it. .”

Cochrane said the four-year partnership has produced several key outcomes, including the creation of a hotline for all members associated with Soccer Canada, LGBTQ2S+ education through You Can Play for Canada’s men’s and women’s national teams, staff and Soccer Canada board members. Identify player ambassadors and create a national education program.

They will also conduct a national survey to better understand the issues facing LGBTQ2S+ youth and athletes, and complete a comprehensive review of Canada Soccer’s policies and programs for You Can Play.

“It is important to recognize that when there is a blackout in Qatar, we tell the public about it. “It’s important to show that we’re doing this on a national level,” Cochran said. “We know what is happening in Qatar, we are looking in the mirror and we need to do more.

“This is an opportunity for us to be a leader. I hope this message resonates around the world. This is an opportunity for others to learn about what we do and what we are doing to make our sport as desirable and safe as possible.”

David Palumbo, vice president of UPlay, said the organization is excited to partner with Canadian Soccer.”I want to thank Earl and his team for the conversations we’ve had over the past few months and the trust they’ve shown in our organization,” Palumbo said. “We look forward to continuing the important work of making our football fields, meeting rooms and locker rooms more accessible and safer for everyone.”

Canada opens the World Cup on November 23 against Belgium.

NBA Playoffs NHL Playoffs California Sports Betting Update 05/04/22 | News

The high-end sports brand founded by Alyssa Zachary of Los Angeles, California is ready for the next moment and is expanding with new retailers including Net-a-Porter.

The label was launched in 2021 and quickly gained popularity. It is known mainly for its slightly stretchy trousers that stretch like sportswear, but it is also designed for casual looks as comfortable as a meeting or dinner. The model is offered in two lengths and comes in every color of the rainbow.

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For fashion editors, gallery owners, and others, an $860 pair of pants has become the ticket to high-end sportswear and is regularly sold out at stores like Amare and Moda Operandi, not only because of the low price, but also because of the quality. the gap Zachary is talking about. about the market

Zachary, a former Rowe merchandising director and consultant for Kite, Lyne and Rosetta Getty, says his brand is "a sport for life." In my opinion, the life of a modern woman is very busy and demanding, so women all over the world want to wear something in the morning and look like a million bucks.

But not only neutral colors are sold. “Black, of course, sells a lot, but I find it interesting to see how people are drawn to this color. Fashion, for example, for orange is sold out instantly, for bright blue it is sold out instantly. Crazy to think about you and in the crowd in orange. pants, but they got up.

The image is typical for sports success at the highest level. Instead of colorful designs for great photos, she collaborates with creatives known for their minimalist taste, such as the photography duo Tanya and Zhenya Posterna.

“I feel like fashion is polarized between understatement and overstatement. I'm not overly sophisticated, sensual, or a Scandinavian minimalist. I am in the middle. It's all about classic shapes, interesting colors and interesting construction details," Zachary said.

the story goes on

The designer was adamant when asked about the price, which he says is the result of high quality carving and hand milling. We create a stylish yet functional product. We are doing something sustainable and I am looking for the best materials: French, Italian and Scottish yarns, as well as things made in Italy.

Now Zachary can't wait to climb the corporate ladder. Her spring collection includes new models of sweaters, outerwear, dresses and skirts. The brand launches in January on Net-a-porter and will stick to a predominantly wholesale model for the foreseeable future. Zachary plans to eventually launch his own e-commerce site.

“We've had incredible organic growth so far, doubling seasons with incredible sales. It's all in the mouth. We are actively developing our product line to take advantage of this moment,” he says.

Click here to read the full article.

Shaking! funny music video friends

© Alessandro Sabatini / Getty Diego Maradona celebrates winning the UEFA Cup for his teammates on May 17, 1989.

Updated November 16, 2022 at 7:38 p.m.

This is the edition of The Great Game, a newsletter about the 2022 World Cup and how football will define the world. Sign up here.

In August, Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi scored the first cycling goal of his long and illustrious career, and the internet found it hilarious.

As PSG beat Clermont 5-0 in their Ligue 1 opener, the shots may not have been as acrobatic as people thought. Messi is the same height as me, Bloomberg – only 5ft 7in – and the ball had to go deep down the pitch, so it's impossible to lift Michael Jordan. Meme accounts posted jokes about the height of the kick, and some photoshopped minibikes uploaded pictures of Messi flipping the ball upside down.

Here's the thing: Messi is still one of the best players in the world. Of the biggest football tournaments in the world, only the World Cup remains. And Macy isn't the only Hobbit among Ents.

There are many sports in which athletes excel despite their small stature, and there are sports that promote short stature, such as horse racing. In the NBA, where six-foot Allen Iverson is a short man, you only see guys like the 5-foot-3 Muggsy Bogues maybe a few times a century. sports in shorts Kings – under 5 meters 9 Let's say someone – they live with men over six meters tall.

Whether you're putting together a generational list of the greatest athletes or a current list, there are few sports in the top ten that have a pool of players who need to step up to achieve something in the top ten, and none. They are as popular as football. The All-Star roster includes the likes of diminutive Argentine Diego Maradona (5-foot-5) and Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta (5-foot-7). Speaking of players still playing, Croatia's Messi and Luka Modric (5ft 8in) have won.

Of course, it's great to have a big, tall defender who dominates the air and intimidates attackers, or a big striker who can stop play and deny off-balance attempts. Being big in football definitely has its physical advantages. Just ask Cristiano Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic. But the shorter size has its advantages: a lower center of gravity, a smaller target and greater maneuverability in tight spaces. Having a good football team is like putting together a team to slay a dragon and reclaim your golden mountain – you need a tough hobbit to get the job done.

You don't have to take my word for it. In Messi's historic 2010-11 Barcelona team that won the Champions League and LaLiga, few players went over the two-meter mark and two of them were goalkeepers. Previous World Championship winners have had at least one Frodo Baggins, and they have many. What would Argentina have been without Maradona in 1984? Tireless French midfielder N'Golo Kante in 2018? Spain 2010 without player Javi Hernandez? Germany 2014 without captain Philip Lahm? Among the recent winners, Italy's 2006 team may lack the players it needs to prove its worth on the rollercoaster, but the Azzurri's two wins in this tournament are still thanks to Mizzella Jr. They owe it to Giuseppe Mezza.

As an athletic young man, that's always been one of my favorite things about sports, being indecisive, being able to go up against goblins and orcs. Being small has nothing to do with how you play on the court, and being big doesn't mean you'll dominate. Once, when I was a teenager in Italy, one of my teammates told me that an opposing player could be an Inter Milan player. The kid has to be 4'10" and under 10. We were all getting bigger and bigger. I shrugged. What's he doing? Then the game starts and this kid breaks his ankle going to the door, like something out of a kung fu movie. those scenes, where the room of evil characters is cleaned and left alone, and the evil ones remain. On the floor, he moans in pain.

As a child I loved soccer, I loved watching and playing World Cup matches, but I didn't play well. When I entered college, I wasn't experienced enough or fast enough to play. I also started playing rugby, a sport that suited both body and mind—a low center of gravity and a thirst for revenge. But like my first love, football, it was never the sport of kings. Kings are short.

In two Atlantic Radio specials , Franklin Foer and Clint Smith explore the unexpected ways The Beautiful Game has affected fans and nations – inspiring, disruptive or empowering. Sign up to hear before the first game.

This article initially misrepresents the year Maradona helped Argentina win the World Cup.

Short reigns in professional sports

• During the US Grand Prix, Insider spoke to Lenovo and F1 about the development and future of the sport.

• The new world of partnerships often goes beyond advertising and benefits both parties.

• Formula 1 has to keep up with Netflix’s Drive to Survive, and technology will play a big role.

The impact of Netflix and the Formula 1 documentary series Drive to Survive is real. Keep in mind the following:

• There were 22 Formula 1 races last year, one in the United States.

• Three of the 24 races next year will be held in the United States.

• Most tickets for the 2017 US Grand Prix were bought after qualifying on Saturday because they just wanted to see Justin Timberlake in concert.

• In 2021, with 400,000 people in Circuit of the Americas, things have changed since the vast majority of fans attended the various F1 sessions (training, qualifying, etc).

And it’s not just the US, when Formula 1 returned to Melbourne, Australia this year for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it recorded its highest attendance ever (420,000). According to F1, 40% of entries went to women, a significant increase they said was due to the effect of Drive to Survive.

As the sport resonates with more fans and an ever more diverse audience, it is also attracting more and more partners.

One example of this is F1’s new deal with Lenovo, a Chinese tech company with a large presence in the United States.

During the recent US Grand Prix, Insider spoke with Lenovo’s Head of North America Marketing Gerald Youngblood and Formula 1 Business Partnerships Director Zara Al Qudsi.

Lenovo has found a stronger presence in sports in recent years. In addition to this year’s new F1 deal, which includes title sponsorship for two races (the British Grand Prix and the French Grand Prix), they have the Ducati Lenovo MotoGP team and a sponsorship agreement with Italian football club Inter de Milan.

And Lenovo’s presence in F1 will increase, with a source telling Insider they will be the main sponsor for three races in 2023.

The story continues

We don’t know what Lenovo will add to racing in 2023 (Las Vegas), but they’d like to increase their presence in the US at some point, citing the sport’s growing influence in North America and continued strength around the world.

“This is a unique partnership where we can have the same impact in all areas [where our customers live and work],” Youngblood told Insider. “I’d like to have a shop here in the States sometime.”

The F1 deal with Lenovo is a reflection of the sport and its fans.

The Lenovo F1 deal is about more than just buying trackside ad space. It also provides various computer systems, servers, and high-performance computing. The reason for the partnership with F1 is closely related to the growth of the fans and the fans themselves.

“We found that F1 fans are more likely to be technology buyers and IT decision makers,” Youngblood said. “They are also more likely to share the technology they use on social media.”

There is also a growing perception, especially in the United States, that Formula 1 is the pinnacle of innovation.

“What could be a more special sport than Formula 1 that really depends on a brand?” The blood young man said. “There are also many practical benefits in integrating our brand with other brands that share a passion for innovation and have an audience that can appreciate the story Lenovo tells.”

This perception of F1 is not new to its die-hard fans, but also to the corporate world. Five years ago, F1 had a technical partner. In addition to Lenovo, F1 now partners with several technology companies, including AWS, Zoom, TATA Communications and BWT.

“The growth we have received in the field of technology cooperation is tremendous,” Al-Qudsi said. “I think that applies to us as well, because the employees also work with our partners’ products. This is something we’ve been good at historically. Our partnership [with Lenovo] definitely has that element. But it’s also about the real stories you see now in Drive to Survive.

Going beyond Drive to Survive advances the story

A subtle but important part of the comments above is the idea of ​​telling a “story”. Spend enough time marketing businesses these days, and you’ll know that “story” is an important part of getting your message across to consumers, whether they’re buying computers or playing sports.

This is where the will to survive comes in.

With the Netflix series, F1 has used a great way to tell the story of F1 that other sports are beginning to emulate. But, as with any television vehicle, interest in the show will fade or even disappear at some point. The key to Formula 1 is finding a way to maintain that momentum, which includes continuing to tell fans exciting stories, old and new, on Netflix and beyond.

Unlike other major sports broadcast by TV channels or cable companies, F1 runs its own “We are very keen on how the Drive to Survive story is addressed and featured in our own global feed, or what we do on YouTube, our Twitter content or our podcasts,” Al Qudsi said. “It’s about making sure we’re the best storytellers, engaging the audience in Drive to Survive and keeping them engaged.”

Youngblood agreed, noting that he’s one of those fans now obsessed with something other than a Netflix series.

“I think the audience is starting to understand,” Youngblood said. “It’s as if I get up at ridiculous hours to watch the races and see the impact of technology that will make things more exciting and bring me closer to the experience, so not everyone needs to be physically on the track, but they can participate.”

Reaching a local fan base is essential to keeping the Drive to Survive momentum going.

Youngblood’s comment about the lack of fans on the track is important to F1. Although race attendance is high worldwide, these people make up a small portion of the sports fans.

F1 estimates it has 500 million fans around the world. Of those, only 1% will actually compete, and Al Qudsi noted that technologies like Lenovo are used in sports to communicate with the other 99%.

So, as Lenovo approaches the end of its first year in F1, what’s next and how will they continue to drive the story forward and connect with fans at the races, and most importantly, at home?

According to F1 and Lenovo, you’re probably excited about augmented and virtual reality systems.

Watching F1 races on TV is great. But after attending so many races, it’s clear that the standard TV experience doesn’t match the quality of the sport.

No matter what you think about the speed, sound, smell, power, talent of drivers who control rockets on wheels – living in them is impressive many times over. If AR and VR can bring this experience closer to non-racing enthusiasts, then everyone will win.

Read the original article on Insider

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