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Section 4

Sport

1. The UK today 2. Religion 3. Customs & Traditions 4. Sport 5. Arts and culture 6. Leisure 7. Places of interest

A Nation of Sports Lovers

Sport is a huge part of British life. Many of the world's most popular sports were invented in Britain — football, cricket, rugby, lawn tennis, and golf. The UK has hosted the Olympic Games three times (1908, 1948, and 2012). Team GB finished third in the medal table in 2012.

Olympic Stadium

Paralympic Games

The Paralympics began at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire. Dr Sir Ludwig Guttmann developed sports therapy for spinal injury patients. This grew into the global Paralympic movement.

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Football

The most popular sport. The Premier League is watched worldwide. England won the World Cup in 1966.

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Cricket

The Ashes series against Australia is the biggest event. Test matches last up to five days!

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Rugby

Rugby Union (15 players) and Rugby League (13 players). The Six Nations is the big annual tournament.

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Tennis

Wimbledon is the oldest tournament in the world. Known for strawberries and cream and white dress codes.

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Golf

The Open Championship is the oldest major. St Andrews in Scotland is the "home of golf."

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Water Sports

Rowing (Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race, Henley Regatta), sailing (Team GB excel at Olympics).

British sports icons

Famous British Sportspeople

  • Sir Andy Murray — tennis, won Wimbledon twice and two Olympic golds
  • Sir Mo Farah — athletics, four Olympic golds in long-distance running
  • Jessica Ennis-Hill — heptathlon, Olympic gold and world champion
  • Sir Chris Hoy — cycling, six Olympic golds (Britain's most successful Olympian)
  • Lewis Hamilton — Formula 1, seven world championships (equals Michael Schumacher's record)
  • Dame Kelly Holmes — athletics, two Olympic golds (800m and 1500m)
  • Sir Bradley Wiggins — cycling, eight Olympic medals and won the Tour de France

Motor Sports

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is a highlight of the Formula 1 calendar. Britain has produced many F1 champions including Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Jenson Button, and Lewis Hamilton.

Major Events

  • FA Cup Final (May) — football's oldest cup competition
  • Wimbledon (June/July) — tennis at the All England Club
  • The Open (July) — golf's oldest major championship
  • Grand National (April) — world-famous horse race at Aintree
  • London Marathon (April) — mass-participation running event
  • Six Nations (Feb-March) — rugby union championship