The greatest sports
stories ever told
| A note from the Editor... |
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Welcome to the latest edition of OverTime, home - thanks to the largesse of the University of Brighton - of the greatest sports stories ever told. We tell it like it is and how it was, reeling in the years to celebrate and analyse the competitive arts, reflecting the way we were and how it has affected the way we are. And all in glorious monochrome. Somehow, sport always seems more dream-like and otherworldly in black and white.
The chief focus, not unnaturally, whatever your feelings, is the Olympics. Our intrepid reporters have been out there talking to national icons such as Alan Minter, Derek Redmond, Steve Backley and 1948 double-medal winning cyclist Tommy Godwin, in addition to wannabes such as boxer Tony "Jaffa" Jeffries and judo player Craig Fallon as well as those with rather different agendas, such as the chairman of the British Paralympic Association and a prominent member of the Human Rights Watch. And, lest we forget, we also meet the man behind the pen behind the greatest Olympic film of them all, Chariots of Fire, Colin Welland. Beyond Beijing, we shake hands with heroes as well as the lesser-sung but no less worthy of interest - Joe Calzhage, George Cohen, Will Carling and Gary McAllister on the one hand, on the other Steve Tilson, Micky Cantwell, Nikki Pedersen, Dean Bowditch and Gurnam Singh. Who they? You'll be glad you found out.
We will whet your appetites by talking to the coming stars - Louis Smith, James Benning and Kathryn Cross - and revitalise them, in our The Way We Were section, by paying homage to the imperishable ones - Arkle, Althea Gibson, Jackie Robinson, Alfredo di Stefano, John Charles and Sugar Ray Robinson. Nor do we short-change those who serve - cricket's Angus Fraser and Donald Carr and tennis's Roger Draper to name but three. We also tackle the big issues of the day - violence, corruption, match-fixing, drug abuse, hooliganism and that greatest of imponderables - the future of English tennis. And, just in case anybody accuses us of lacking levity, we raise a toast to tiddlywinks, in particular the day a leading Royal challenged Spike Milligan to a game. If sport be the food of dreams, read on.
Rob Steen
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De Coubertin: Inspired by Dr William Penny Brookes, the Englishman who organised the 1866 National Olympic Games at Crystal Palace © Google Images
Eternal flame
"The reason we are so appalled by the failings of the IOC is deeply indicative of why the Games may yet survive for a few more centuries: we are captivated by the Olympics even as we mourn its lost idealism." So wrote Matthew Syed in The Times recently. We know what he means. Yes, it's that time of decade again. In Beijing, around 200 nations and 10,000 sportsfolk will be hoping to make us forget all our reservations about drugs, corruption and corrupted ideals and, instead, enchant us with stories that will inspire and endure. Let our Olympics special be your guide to the past, present and future of this unique communal gathering
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Roger and in
Simon Moss corners Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Roger Draper and hears about his vision for British tennis, and the search for the new Fred Perry
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Take drugs out of the ballgame
Brendan Simpson meets Dick Pound, the anti-drugs czar, for a far from cosy chat about contemporary sport's most widespread and virulent cancer |
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In an exclusive interview, George Cohen talks to Mark Conlon about life as a World Cup winner, England's footballing woes and why he doesn't envy today's players one little bit
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The Williams sisters cite her as an inspirational role model, but she died much as she had emerged, unable to pay her medical bills. Oliver Miller remembers Althea Gibson, standard-bearer for black America and Wimbledon's first black champion
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Racism, sexism, sectarianism, homophobia...you name it, Brendan Simpson has a prejudice against it
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With cricket grappling as never before with the opposing forces of tradition and transition, Richard Evans talks to the cult hero turned journalist and ICC committee member about the day's two most pressing issues: Twenty20 and technology
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Despite the clichés and derogatory connotations, cheating in amateur club golf is as much a popular pastime as the sport itself, argues Joel Tadman
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Sam Feasey talks to Damian Hopley and Peter Wheeler about the fissures that have beset English rugby since the onset of professionalism
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Mirror, mirror, on the wall/What's the unfairest of them all? Will Tidey introduces our in-depth investigation by casting an angry eye over sport's resident evils - violence, performance-enhancing drugs and match-fixing
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Forbes magazine recently listed its 20 Greatest Sporting Feats and we beg, nay plead, to differ. Profoundly. Check out our exclusive survey
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| Olympic Games |
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Moving images
They were forgotten champions until Colin Welland decided to tell their story in Chariots of Fire, the ultimate Olympics movie, the result a bagful of Oscars for Britain and belated recognition for two long-forgotten giants of the track. Oliver Miller talks to the screenwriter who brought Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell the acclaim they deserved
Prague heading for Czech point
As London prepares to host the 2012 Games, seven more countries are locked in a bidding war for the same privilege four years later. Andy Watkins talks to Karel Tejkal and assesses the Czech Republic's prospects
Twenty20 for 2020?
OK, so why are cricket and rugby not a part of the Games despite being two of the world's biggest sports? Richard Greatorex talks to James Fitzgerald of the International Cricket Council and reads the tea-leaves
Chucking his weight around
Four years ago, he was expected to do well in Athens but was swept off his feet. That's why expectation is the last thing on Craig Fallon’s mind. Chris Towers caught up with the young man hoping to become Britain's first-ever winner of an Olympic judo gold
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| Pecs, Ties & Videotape |
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Flag-wavers of convenience
“I would like to thank my adopted country, Canada, my native country, Jamaica, and the country in which I was born, England." So said Lennox Lewis. Dan Parr analyses the thorny issue of dual nationality
Father and Son Inc
Joe and Enzo Calzaghe are an intriguing combination. Joe does the punching and the world-title-winning, dad Joe does the training, the talking and the singing. Sean Wozencroft listens to some Italian-Welsh rabbit
Gods, giants, kings and queens
The field could not be stronger. Ali, Martina, Michael, Tiger, Flo-Jo and many more are all under starter's orders. So, who's the greatest of them all? Let Dan Rumens and his era-crossing team help you decide
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Go Johnny, go
If ever a fellow enjoyed his 15 minutes of fame, Johnny Summers did. Then again, how many footballers have ever scored five goals to help their side overturn a 5-1 deficit? Arron Dolman reports
When Floyd was in the pink
Daniel Smith sings the praises of the criminally unsung Floyd Patterson, the first man to regain the world heavyweight title and quite possibly the nicest chap to ever rule the world in anything
The Gentle Giant
Equally inspirational in defence or attack, "King" John Charles was a star in three realms - Wales, Yorkshire and Italy. Natalie Cooper hails Britain's greatest footballing export
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