spent three long days on the final touches. 10,000 fireworks are loaded onto three barges ready to head down the thames to the london eye, where they'll be set off at midnight. we've got over 30 tonnes of equipment that gets loaded onto the barges, 50 kilometres of cable and wiring, a,500 cues that all need to be wired in and tested all ready for the midnight moment. preparations on the day itself are often close to the wire, with the london eye rigged just two hours before the display starts. four, three, two, one! with everything set, the sky a blank canvas, the teams will be hoping it all runs like clockwork. rachel mcadam, bbc news. we are expecting around 12 minutes of fireworks at midnight, and i will

be here to guide you through them on bbc news, but first let's take a look back at the sporting highlights of 2023. 2023 was a remarkable year for sport. up here, an historic treble. down under, a women's world cup. england and australia couldn't be separated in the ashes whilst cricket, rugby union and netball all had world cups of their own. golf came togetherfor the solheim and ryder cups. but the start of this sporting year was, for some, less a beginning and more a resumption. football had onlyjust returned after its unprecedented winter world cup break. also resuming — returning — the australian open once more welcomed novak djokovic, a year on from his deportation over his covid vaccination status.

still no vax for novak but here he was, back and unbeatable. his was a 22nd grand slam title. for aryna sabalenka, a first. saudi arabia's bid to become a major player in global sport was laid bare, cristiano ronaldo becoming a figurehead for the fledgling football league. before the end of the year, they had all but been awarded a world cup. there was shock, too, injanuary, after buffalo bills�* damar hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during an nfl game. the world watched on as he would eventually make a recovery. here, rugby union's six nations. well, that was all about ireland. and it's time for the six nations and no better place to start than in cardiff. james lowe, all the way! a cruel knife to the heart of wales! the number one side on the planet against the reigning grand slam champions. oh, my goodness! breathtaking! absolutely breathtaking!

thunderous six nations spectacle! all eyes on ross byrne as he gets us under way in rome. _ the quest for the slam is still alive! _ and it's been many, many a long year since both scotland and ireland met at this stage of the championship with so much to play for. a slam on the line for ireland. pride on the line for england. aki for henshaw! the start of the celebrations in dublin! a fourth grand slam for ireland! england's men never really got going in that tournament. the women, though, were once again unbeatable — a grand slam in front of a world record crowd, the fifth six nations title in a row. their cricketing counterparts couldn't quite emulate their success. they reached the semifinals of the t20 world cup in south africa, beaten by the hosts who were, in turn, beaten to the trophy by australia. down under, in february, st helens were pulling off an almighty shock,

beating nrl champions penrith in rugby league's world club challenge. lebronjames became the nba's all—time leading points scorer. at old trafford, manchester united's proposed takeover became one of the more protracted sagas of the year. the club did win the efl cup. celtic won the scottish equivalent before rangers won it back whilst arsenal claimed the women's league cup. by april, protests were very much part of the sporting landscape. the start of the grand national was delayed as more than 100 were arrested at aintree. derek fox, aboard corach rambler, came home first. fewer than half finished as arguments over animal welfare continue. a protest, too, on the table at sheffield. i've never seen anything like this. the world snooker championship this time the target.

the headlines, though, were eventually written by luca brecel. and we are under way! the london marathon returned to its traditional spring setting. more runners than ever before, and faster — course records in the men's and wheelchair events. another historic occasion for women's football! there were more than 77,000 at wembley for the women's fa cup final — a world record for a women's domestic game. sam kerr helping chelsea to the first half of their double. the second followed just days later. chelsea are wsl champions! a domestic double for them. in scotland, celtic�*s men went one better with a treble. having already won the league cup, they took the scottish premiership with four games to spare, leaving them clear to focus on victory in the cup final against inverness caledonian thistle. celtic, the treble winners! whilst here, at manchester city, something very special indeed was happening. it had been a long time

in the making but pep guardiola's side finally achieved their dream. the first part — a fifth premier league title in six years. manchester city are champions of england again! their dominance of the domestic game without question. still, to underline it, they went to wembley to prove their point against their nearest rivals. city and united face off in the endgame. and there's a good try! 0h, incredible! it's the fastest that's ever been scored in an fa cup final. gundogan... he got it, and he's got another one! manchester city have done the double! one to go! city's continental challenge would come soon enough but byjune, they weren't the only brits abroad. all cheer. 20,000 west ham fans were in prague for a europa conference league final against fiorentina. it was at times ugly, always dramatic and, ultimately, a triumph.

it feels the best feeling i think i've ever had watching a football match. no words can describe how awesome this is feeling. i think i'm dreaming! ijust can't believe _ west ham have won something! inspiration, perhaps, for istanbuljust days later. the champions league final. all chant: city! city! manchester city beating inter milan by a single goal to complete an historic treble. and not even the manchester weather could spoil that homecoming party. it's just unbelievable. even now, it so doesn't seem real. the best time to be alive, the best time to be a city fan! living the dream! love it! away from football and in rather drier surrounds, more records — novak djokovic winning his 23rd grand slam singles title in the paris springtime. back here, saracens�* comeback was complete, crowned premiership champions at twickenham. just down the road, a dazzling

moment in the gold cup, frankie dettori riding courage mon ami to victory in the jockey�*s final royal ascot meeting. the start of the sporting summer, though, was dominated by one of the oldest and fiercest international rivalries. the ashes was ultimately dampened by this manchester weather. still, it was quite a summer. well, here we go. the ashes is about to begin. what an atmosphere already here at edgbaston. all the talk over the last few weeks, it's all gone now. there you go! bazball�*s off and running! oh, my word! day one of the ashes. brilliant hundred from joe root. 0h, here we go! ben stokes does the unexpected! and listen to khawaja celebrate that. - oh, it's over! the aussies! incredible victory here at edgbaston! well, what a game of cricket.

well, what a special occasion, the lord's ashes test match. there it is — steve smith reaches his 32nd test century. jonny bairstow's come out - of his ground and carey's thrown the ball at the stumps. well, that is an - astonishing dismissal. and even in the long room, members engaging with the australians as they walked off. i have to think about the whole spirit of the game and would i actually want to win a test match like that? and when i think about that, it's a no. i thought it was totally fair. that's the rules. you know, you leavej it up to the umpires. the crowd wound up by that bairstow dismissal. stokes for a hundred! well, that is absolutely incredible! that's the one! stump out of the ground! australia win to go 2—0 up!

highly charged atmosphere before the start of this third test match and it's now or never for england. two down in the series. got him! listen to the crowd! goes high... it goes long! it's a maximum for mark wood! the ashes are alive! a fantastic game of test match cricket. j it's a wonderful ground here now at old trafford. the sun isjust started to shine. calls of, "catch it!" and he has got him! stuart broad, hejoins an elite club! will the time be a factor? well, here at the oval on test 5, the clouds are around, there's a bit of green grass. stuart broad, who's just announced his retirement, this will be his last

match for england. it's been such an incredible ride - and a pretty long one, to be honest. just listen to this reaction. a legend of the game. | walking away from the playing sidej of the game with memories i've got and how much i'm enjoying iti makes me feel pretty special. there you go — stuart broad with a six! that's what the crowd wanted. brilliant! he's done it! the fairytale ending he was hoping for! stuart broad! one of the greatest series, if not the greatest series of all time! for the women, a different ashes format, the same drama, the same outcome. please welcome - australia and england! tammy beaumont brings up a double century. eight wickets for ash gardener,

and that is the match! they pick up four points in this multiformat series. and australia have won the game. and england will now need to win every single game in the rest of this women's ashes if they are to get that trophy back. england have won this game! the ashes series is still alive. england have won the game! they're still in the ashes! australia have lost a bilateral series for the first time in six years! blue skies over bristol, | england looking to keep their women's ashes series alive. england have won! england have beaten australia again! england, two wins away now from regaining the women's ashes for the first time in close to a decade. and she's bowled her! australia retain the ashes!

the series can still be drawn at taunton on tuesday but england's dreams of winning it for the first time in almost a decade have gone. in the air, should be a catch... it is! england have won! england win the 0d! series. the women's ashes is drawn. it is an extraordinary achievement. this has been the best ashes series for women. australia retaining both ashes trophies. a rivalry that was also playing out at netball�*s world cup in south africa. australia would eventually take that trophy home, too, beating england in the final. the diamonds have done it! the tour de france was won byjonas vingegaard again. demi vollering won the women's event. with hoylake the genuine surprise. just a quiet brilliance. brian harman, without a win on the tour in six years, now the open champion. the women's event was won by another american, lilia vu, her second major victory of the year. with the paris olympics

and paralympics just a year away, the city readied itself by hosting the para world athletics championships. ten golds for great britain including a 13th and 14th title for hannah cockroft, whilst back home, the event that perhaps more than any other signifies the british summer. a quiet corner in south west london is now stirring. terrific vibe everywhere. lovely summer scene, isn't it? wolverhampton's boy wonder is the wimbledon champion! i neal skupski, overcome by the enormity of this achievement. hewett and reid secure a fifth doubles title together. vondrousova is the unseeded champion! the new king of centre court, carlos alcaraz of spain!

the end ofjuly saw the start of perhaps the biggest sporting event of the year, although the much anticipated women's world cup began on a sombre note — a deadly shooting in host city auckland just hours before the opening match. the tournament ended with one of the year's most controversial sporting moments. but in between, it was, thankfully, the football that wrote the headlines. it is a belter of an opening match to kick us off. and it is wilkinson! that was sensational. the roar around stadium australia. and catley scores! welcome to the fifa women's world cup! come on! england's attempt to lift the biggest prize of all starts here in queensland. stanway with a second chance. england make a winning start, just.

they made hard work of haiti. by close of play, one of these two nations could be through. it's lauren james! 0h! that is absolutely sensational! sarina wiegman�*s side know that a point will win them the group, come what may. collected by russo! what a start for england! carter's ball in. laurenjames! what a goal! it's a stunner! six for england. centre stage and in the spotlight tonight. it's finished in brisbane! morocco are through to the last 16! look at that! just look at that! and there! has it gone over the line? high drama!

it's confirmed! the united states. of america are out! sarina wiegman�*s ever evolving england face their next hurdle at this era—defining women's world cup. this is knockout football. it's all or nothing. laurenjames is in trouble here. it's penalties in brisbane. kelly. . .smashes england through! yes! it's another tricky assignment for the lionesses. colombia, the lowest ranked side left in the competition. oh, it's over mary earps and it's all the way in! the goalkeeper has lost it! and it's there! lauren hemp! russo! they've turned it around! another setback overcome. spain's first senior women's world cup semifinal. in the way, sweden.

carmona. .. oh, it's off the bar! it's in! spain are world cup finalists. anticipation has been building for this semifinal in both hemispheres. taken down by russo. great play. ella toone! oh, wow! sam kerr on the charge. kerr goes for it! 0h! how about that? australia draw level! hemp! what a pass that is! it's russo! and england are heading for the world cup final! history beckons. it's spain against england to compete for the right to be called the world's greatest. off the bar! how close can you get?

this is dangerous. it's1—0 spain! 0lga carmona! jenni hermoso. saved! it is heartbreak for the lionesses. it is really hard to take, | but we gave everything. we can hand on heart. say we gave everything. we never gave in and, yeah, sometimes, it is hard - to take but it's football, _ and we are absolutely heartbroken. it's spain...champions of the world. spain's win was undoubtedly extraordinary, but almost immediately talk turned from lifting the trophy to what happened amongst those celebrations. a kiss by the then—spanish football federation president luis rubiales on player jenni hermoso sparked global outrage. he would later be banned from football for three years. managerjorge vilda was sacked amidst the scandal.

as the lionesses returned home, heading off was men's captain harry kane, his transfer to bayern munich one of the more eye—catching of a summer of spending that included jude bellingham moving to madrid and lionel messi making miami his new home. rugby league's challenge cup was returning to its traditional home, leigh leopards winning at wembley. wow! for the first time, the women's final was also held there, st helens the first to lift the trophy. whilst they were enjoying their day in the sun, over in the budapest heat, britain came away from the world athletics championships with two gold medals. world champion josh kerr! josh kerr in the 1,500 metres was stunning. katarina johnson—thompson in the heptathlon was simply something else. here we go! august also saw glasgow host the biggest cycling event ever held. britain finished top of both the cycling and para cycling medal

tables at the inaugural world championships. at flushing meadow, novak djokovic took the men's title. but for once, his record—extending feat was not the headline, as home favourite, teenager coco gauff, secured her first grand slam. daniel dubois left devastated after a controversial heavyweight title defeat to 0leksandr usyk. whilst golf remains embroiled in acrimony, in september, the sport did enjoy two of its most spectacular events. welcome to the 2023 solheim cup! what a superb day it's been so far for team usa. they have swept the foursomes. she's got an ace! are you kidding me?!

chanting: europe! europe! she's done it! 8-8. needs to find something in answer. cor—whee! to retain the solheim cup on home soil! and that is what it means! welcome to the marco simone golf club for the first day's play- in the 2023 ryder cup. right at it! what a shot. what a roar! glorious shot from rory mcilroy. every single match won by europe. 0h, he has! it rattles into the back. oh, this isjust magnificent.

patrick cantlay! he did it! laughter there's nothing like the ryder cup, is there? there really, really isn't. 0h, he will be so excited if he does, and he has! brilliant stuff. well, that's it. europe are the winners of the ryder cup 2023. team europe! come on, boys! 2023 was a tumultuous yearfor rugby union. the crisis in the club game deepening asjersey reds and london irish folded. but september brought the start of the world cup. ireland had arrived at the tournament the number one side in the world. victory over defending champions south africa in the group stages raising expectations further. england's build—up was dominated by the absence of captain 0wen farrell. the opening games bringing more problems. they would, though, make it through, as would wales. scotland, though, out

before the quarterfinals. which was, in truth, where the tournament really caught light. for all of us, i think it's like a dream come true, a childhood dream, getting out to a world cup with your mates, seeing wales play in the quarterfinal. it would be right up there, you know, it's such an important match for us. but where the highest hopes were extinguished — wales knocked out by argentina before ireland lost a classic against the all blacks. england were the only home nation to make it to the semifinals, although few gave them too much chance against south africa. i wouldn't put my mortgage on it, but why not, yeah. i think everyone is writing us off too early. i think we are not as bad as everyone is making. to england's credit, they got within a point. heroic defeat, but defeat nonetheless. the final was another epic. south africa somehow again finding enough to see off old rivals new zealand. champions for a record fourth time.

here in october, manchester and football was in mourning as it said goodbye to an england icon. sir bobby charlton passed away, prompting an outpouring of tributes. just days later, one of the year's most shocking sports stories as ice hockey player adam johnson died following an incident during a match in sheffield. october was a busy month for rugby league. wigan were once again crowned super league men's champions. the cherry and whites are on top! york valkyrie triumphing in the women's competition. the domestic season then made way for autumn internationals. england's men's series clean sweep over tonga the headline act. max verstappen was once again crowned world champion in what was the most one—sided formula 1 season in years.

the twists and turns? well, they were saved for antwerp. jake jarman taking gold at the gymnastics world championships. but all attention was back on simone biles. four gold medals making her the most decorated gymnast the sport has ever seen. november brought the climax of the cricket world cup. defending champions england, by their own admission, were dismal, whilst india's dream of lifting the trophy on home soil was dashed in the final by australia. an incredible year for their cricketers. a remarkable year for sport. and the winner of the 2023 bbc - sports personality of the year is... ..from nottingham, mary earps! cheering and applause for me, ifeel like this is, you know, the ultimate all—round sporting accolade. and i think, us as lionesses and obviously, united as well, we've had an incredible couple of years, but this is just... yeah, wow.

rachel mcadam, bbc news. live from london. this is bbc news. the queen of denmark, europe's longest reigning monarch, announces she will step down, after 52 years on the throne. the us navy says it's sunk three houthi rebel boats in the red sea, after they attacked a container ship off the coast of yemen. president putin says russia won't back down in ukraine, as moscow carries out more drone attacks. dubai puts on a spectacular lights show, as celebrations take place around the world to welcome in 202a.

i want to take it to two more nations that are welcoming in 2024 bytes now but in very different ways. let's start in qatar. this is a lieu sale city, the nation's second city and officials are promising the first of its kind celebration with a synchronised drone display and that certainly makes the case and there. can see the city packed with people to watch those fireworks go off. 2024 being projected into one of the big buildings in the capital city. they are using lasers and also fireworks in qatar. like a lot of

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