- British sports outlook optimistic
- Elite victories expected in 2024
- Concerns for overall activity
A teaser for the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist began circulating last month when the list was announced. One identity that stood out among the six was Katarina Johnson-Thompson. Despite her world championship, none of the other competitors on the list—Mary Earps, Stuart Broad, Frankie Dettori, Rory McIlroy, or Alfie Hewett—actually won the most prestigious competition in their respective schedules.
Is it harsh? Undoubtedly, yes. Particularly in light of England’s women advancing to the World Cup final, Broad retiring following an exhilarating Ashes, while the others also experienced moments of great splendor. However, it illustrated a more general truth: although 2017 was a good year for British sports, it was not a landmark year.
As 2024 begins, there is an unsettling feeling that this season may truly be one to remember, comparable to the magnificent summer of 1934 when Hedley Verity defeated Australia for fourteen wickets in a single day, Henry Cotton brought an end to a decade of American supremacy at the Open, and Fred Perry triumphed at Wimbledon. Even years such as 1966, 2003, and 2012 have been abbreviated to four-digit figures to denote British sporting victories.
“High Hopes for English Sporting Success in 2024”
For that to occur, England’s men’s football team must undoubtedly achieve their first major championship in 58 years at the Euros this year. However, one need not bear a St George’s flag tattoo on their torso to have faith in their favorite’s chances. Even bookmakers agree.
In fact, England’s Harry Kane is the leading scorer among the top five competitions in Europe. Jude Bellingham is the leading scorer for them in Spain. Additionally, fortune has been on their side: should they finish first in their group, they will not face another group victor until the semifinals.
Unsurprisingly familiar inquiries persist. Is Gareth Southgate applying or releasing the handbrake? Do you believe that the attacking talent at your disposal or your more conservative instincts will prevail? In any case, England’s 7-2 odds, corresponding to a 22% chance of victory, do not appear excessively irrational.
Then, precisely twelve days later, the Paris Olympics ensue, the most anticipated sporting event of the summer.
Analysts at Gracenote predict that Team GB will win 65 medals across more than 20 disciplines, one more than at London 2012, which also augurs well.
Even more British sporting triumphs are possible in 2024. Tyson Fury is the heavyweight frontrunner to become the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999, regardless of your opinion of him. In the interim, Manchester City and Arsenal are considered strong contenders to join Liverpool in 1978 as the first English clubs to win a European Cup at Wembley.
Despite the fact that expectations may ultimately fail to meet reality, there are two aspects that merit emphasis. The first is that over the past fifteen years, British elite sport has been on a roll, albeit with an unsettling number of scandals involving swimming, cycling, gymnastics, and other disciplines. The second concern is that this on-field success may not be cascading down.
“The Historical Fluctuations of British Sporting Success”
However, we have had it this excellent only once in history. It will not be long before the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, during which Great Britain secured a solitary gold medal, descend into the depths of despair. Euro 2008, in which no domestic country qualified, was even closer. However, these were not exceptionally large outliers. The Observer questioned the condition of British sport in the wake of the “debacle” at the Stockholm Games as early as 1912.
Sydney Brooks, despondent, implored his readers to “examine the record” in an article titled “British Olympic Failures: Are We Decadent in Sport?” “A few years ago, the South Africans and New Zealanders informed us that we had forgotten how to play rugby,” he wrote. “We are losing our former dominance in lawn tennis… I am unaware of any Englishman who is unquestionably first in swimming, skating, or racquetball.
Brooks further expressed concern regarding Britain’s declining achievements in billiards and polo, before issuing the following admonition: “Whenever we are pitted against foreign competitors, the likelihood is that we will fare poorly, both as individuals and as a collective.”
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Then, in a completely unprecedented suggestion for 1924, it was proposed that the United Kingdom hire more foreign coaches “to impart the necessary technique” or “send our professionals abroad to learn their business.” It took nearly a century and enormous sums of public funds for this notion to gain traction, but consider the results.
“Aspiring for a More Active United Kingdom in 2024”
However, when excluding elite sports, the situation is considerably less optimistic. Leisure centres continue to close. Authorities are still closing swimming pools. The overall activity levels of the populace are either remaining stagnant or declining. Despite the fact that many of us enjoy viewing sports, numerous studies have found no correlation between elite achievement and increased physical activity among the general population.
Given this context, a few astute individuals in the sports industry harbour a novel aspiration for 2024: that policymakers pledge to transform the United Kingdom into the most physically active country in Europe. Such is a lofty aspiration. However, although certain Members of Parliament (MPs), Tracey Crouch and Kim Leadbeater in particular, have emphasised the NHS-related advantages of a healthier populace, its attainment could be costly and time-consuming.
It is therefore unsurprising that a considerable number of individuals would rather concentrate exclusively on elite sports, anticipating the acclaim and flattering remarks that may ensue.
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