Features

Another great year for Bolt

Author: John Harris
Date: 24/12/2009
Athletics betting

The final part of our three-part review of 2009 looks at the months of September, October, November and December.

September - IAAF World Athletics Final, Thessaloniki, Greece - The all-conquering Usain Bolt wrapped up his season by cruising to a further 200 metre success in Greece.

Holding the world record time in both the 100 and 200 metre sprint events, Bolt cantered to yet another success although he didn't quite break his own record in doing so.

However, it marked an incredible year for the Jamaican runner as he broke the 200 metre record he had clocked at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing with a superb run at the Berlin World Championships in August.

October - Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp, Paris - Sea The Stars earned a place among racing's immortals with an imperious performance at the biggest race in Europe.

In winning, he chalked up a sixth consecutive Group One victory for trainer John Oxx and the now departed jockey Mick Kinane.

The horse has since been retired to stud after an unprecedented 2,000 Guineas-Derby-Arc treble in 2009.

November - England v South Africa fourth ODI match, Port Elizabeth, South Africa - With the scored tied at 1-1 following the first three fixtures, the two nations met again in Port Elizabeth.

Proteas captain Graeme Smith won the toss and elected to bat and it was a decision he would soon regret.

His abject side fell to 119 all-out from just 36.5 overs and, with Jonathan Trott opening impressively for England, the visitors soon whittled off the required total as they finished on 121-3.

This win ultimately proved to be the key result as England secured a 2-1 success in the five-game series.

December - Tiger Woods' withdrawal from golf - Following a series of unsavoury events in his domestic life, world number one golfer Tiger Woods has taken an indefinite break from the sport.

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He was involved in a car crash at the end of November before media rumours surfaced, suggesting his marriage to wife Elin was in doubt.

Further developments highlighted Woods' marital transgressions were more evident than first reported.

Then, on December 11, the 14-times Major winner announced he would take time out from the sport after admitting to his infidelity in order to focus "on being a better husband, father, and person.

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