Sport and famous sportspeople
Sport plays an important part in British life. Many sports, including cricket, football, lawn tennis, golf and rugby, began in Britain.
The UK has hosted the Olympic Games three times: 1908, 1948 and 2012, all in London. The 2012 main Olympic site was in Stratford, east London. The Paralympic Games have their origins in the work of Dr Sir Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire.
Cricket originated in England. Games can last up to five days. The most famous competition is the Ashes, a series of Test matches between England and Australia.
Football is the UK’s most popular sport. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own league and national team. England’s only international tournament victory was the World Cup of 1966, hosted in the UK.
Rugby originated in England in the early 19th century. The Six Nations Championship is played between England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy.
Horse racing: famous events include Royal Ascot, the Grand National at Aintree and the Scottish Grand National at Ayr. The National Horseracing Museum is in Newmarket, Suffolk.
The modern game of golf can be traced back to 15th-century Scotland. St Andrews is known as the home of golf.
Modern tennis evolved in England in the late 19th century. The first tennis club was founded in Leamington Spa in 1872. Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world.
Key facts
- London hosted the Olympics in 1908, 1948 and 2012.
- The Ashes — cricket series between England and Australia.
- 1966 — England won the football World Cup.
- Six Nations — rugby: England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy.
- Grand National — Aintree, near Liverpool.
- St Andrews, Scotland — the home of golf.
- Wimbledon — oldest tennis tournament; first club in Leamington Spa (1872).
Important dates
| 1872 | First tennis club, Leamington Spa |
| 1954 | Roger Bannister runs a mile in under four minutes |
| 1966 | England win the football World Cup |
| 2012 | London Olympic and Paralympic Games |
Important people
- Sir Roger Bannister: First man to run a mile in under four minutes (1954).
- Sir Jackie Stewart: Scottish racing driver; Formula 1 world champion three times.
- Bobby Moore: Captain of the 1966 World Cup-winning England team.
- Sir Ian Botham: England cricket captain; holds many records.
- Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean: Won Olympic ice-dancing gold in 1984.
- Sir Steve Redgrave: Rowing gold medals in five consecutive Olympic Games.
- Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson: Paralympian; 16 medals, including 11 golds; won the London Marathon six times.
- Dame Kelly Holmes: Two Olympic golds in 2004 (800m and 1,500m).
- Dame Ellen MacArthur: Fastest solo sailor around the world (2004).
- Sir Chris Hoy: Scottish cyclist; six Olympic golds.
- David Weir: Paralympian wheelchair racer; six gold medals.
- Bradley Wiggins: First Briton to win the Tour de France (2012).
- Mo Farah: Born in Somalia; Olympic gold in 5,000m and 10,000m (2012).
- Jessica Ennis: Olympic heptathlon gold, 2012.
- Andy Murray: Scottish tennis player; won the US Open in 2012.
- Ellie Simmonds: Paralympic swimming gold medallist.
Memory tips
- London Olympics: “1908, 1948, 2012” — roughly every 40 years then 64.
- Ashes = England vs Australia (cricket).
Practice questions
1. The Ashes is a cricket series between England and which country?
- India
- South Africa
- Australia
- New Zealand
Show answer
The Ashes is a series of Test matches between England and Australia.
2. In which year did England win the football World Cup?
- 1954
- 1966
- 1986
- 1996
Show answer
England’s only major international tournament win was the 1966 World Cup, hosted in the UK.
3. In which years has London hosted the Olympic Games?
- 1908, 1948 and 2012
- 1924, 1956 and 2012
- 1900, 1966 and 2008
- 1948, 1972 and 2012
Show answer
London hosted the Olympic Games in 1908, 1948 and 2012.
4. Where was the main Olympic site for the 2012 Games?
- Wembley
- Stratford, east London
- Greenwich
- Manchester
Show answer
The main Olympic site for the 2012 Games was in Stratford, east London.
5. Where do the Paralympic Games have their origins?
- Wimbledon
- Stoke Mandeville hospital
- St Thomas’ Hospital
- Loughborough University
Show answer
The Paralympics have their origins in the work of Dr Sir Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville hospital.
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