number of tournaments in its 44 year history. 31 across 21 countries. there'll be two new events in asia and south africa and 8 tournaments return to the calendar. the tour starts in mid february that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. keep across those football fixtures in case any more go on boxing day. now i'm bbc news, it's time for a look back in the year at sport. there's never been a sporting year quite like 2021. it would, though, take a little time for the volume to be turned up. like everything else, it had to wait.

when the year began, the backing track was the sound of silence. fans were still some way behind. covid's cancellations and chaos continued, the pandemic still providing all the background noise. the empty stadia, a stark, constant reminder that no amount of fake sounds or even fake crowds could drown out. that was over here. over there, well, this was how the world's best tennis players were preparing for one of the first major sporting events of the year, the australian open. strict total quarantine divided opinion. strict hotel quarantine divided opinion. novak djokovic became the men's champion, the first of three grand slams for him this year. naomi osaka, the women's champion, herfirst and final grand slam of 2021. her withdrawal from the others to protect her mental health, the starting point for another of the year's major sporting narratives. in truth, many were still questioning whether sport should

be going ahead at all. rugby union's six nations did — just about — and despite everything off the field, on it, it was one of the best we've ever seen. an empty twickenham and defending champions england is where scotland began. intimidating, perhaps, but they came with a plan. intimidating, perhaps, but they came with a plan. commentator: he gets the touchdown, australia and silent twickenham, save only the cheers and roars of the scotland players. cheers and roars of the scotland -la ers. ~ , cheers and roars of the scotland .la ers, ~ , , . ., cheers and roars of the scotland laers. ,, ., cheers and roars of the scotland -la ers.~ ,, ., ., cheers and roars of the scotland -la ers.; , , ., ., ., players. wells became at home, no crowd of course. _ players. wells became at home, no crowd of course. -- _ players. wells became at home, no crowd of course. -- wales. - the team in red would dojust the team in red would do just that to the snow and murray field. the

rugby once more, read. he’s to the snow and murray field. the rugby once more, read. he's going to et it! rugby once more, read. he's going to get it! what — rugby once more, read. he's going to get it! what an _ rugby once more, read. he's going to get it! what an important _ rugby once more, read. he's going to get it! what an important win - rugby once more, read. he's going to get it! what an important win for - get it! what an important win for wales. a . ~ get it! what an important win for wales. 1, . ~ ., get it! what an important win for wales. ., , wales. back home, the neighbours were waiting- _ wales. back home, the neighbours were waiting. will— wales. back home, the neighbours were waiting. will england - wales. back home, the neighbours were waiting. will england catch i were waiting. will england catch fire? when _ were waiting. will england catch fire? when will— were waiting. will england catch fire? when will they _ were waiting. will england catch fire? when will they cast - were waiting. will england catch fire? when will they cast fire? l fire? when will they cast fire? cardiff, the questions didn't end there. he cardiff, the questions didn't end there. u, �* cardiff, the questions didn't end there. u, �* ., there. he can't quite gather it. it has one there. he can't quite gather it. it has gone forward, _ there. he can't quite gather it. it has gone forward, has _ there. he can't quite gather it. it has gone forward, has it? - there. he can't quite gather it. it has gone forward, has it? to - there. he can't quite gather it. it. has gone forward, has it? to paris for an extraordinary _ has gone forward, has it? to paris for an extraordinary finish. - has gone forward, has it? to paris for an extraordinary finish. to - has gone forward, has it? to paris for an extraordinary finish. to the | for an extraordinary finish. to the match and ultimately the championship.— match and ultimately the cham--ionshi. ,, , �*, ., ., championship. surely it's going to be... for championship. surely it's going to be--- forthe _ championship. surely it's going to be... for the bonus _ championship. surely it's going to be... for the bonus point- championship. surely it's going to be... for the bonus point try! - championship. surely it's going to| be... for the bonus point try! that will win france the game. be. .. for the bonus point try! that will win france the game.- will win france the game. wales beaten. could _ will win france the game. wales beaten. could scotland - will win france the game. wales beaten. could scotland now- will win france the game. wales beaten. could scotland now helping out? they could scarcely have left

them later. out? they could scarcely have left them later-— them later. want an end to this championship! _ them later. want an end to this championship! that _ them later. want an end to this championship! that met - them later. want an end to this championship! that met walesl them later. want an end to this - championship! that met wales were cham - ions. championship! that met wales were champions. drama _ championship! that met wales were champions. drama that _ championship! that met wales were champions. drama that deserved . championship! that met wales were champions. drama that deserved an| champions. drama that deserved an audience. the women's six nations, that felt the impact even more. restructured, reorganised, the restructu red, reorganised, the culmination restructured, reorganised, the culmination and england, france fight. culmination and england, france fiuht. ~ ., , , ., ., fight. wonderful stuff from england. the cannot fight. wonderful stuff from england. they cannot step _ fight. wonderful stuff from england. they cannot stop winning. _ fight. wonderful stuff from england. they cannot stop winning. they - fight. wonderful stuff from england. they cannot stop winning. they are l they cannot stop winning. they are champions — they cannot stop winning. they are champions again in 2021.— champions again in 2021. england couldn't step _ champions again in 2021. england couldn't stop winning, _ champions again in 2021. england couldn't stop winning, and - champions again in 2021. england | couldn't stop winning, and neither it seemed could rachael blackmore. never getting carried away. in april, she became the first female jockey to win the grand national.

the gender thing was never an issue. ijust carried forward. it the gender thing was never an issue. i just carried forward. it was just such a special race. i'm absolutely honoured to be able to put my name cited. ., , ., , honoured to be able to put my name cited. .,, ., , . ~ cited. the roar was finally back. the snooker _ cited. the roar was finally back. the snooker championships - cited. the roar was finally back. - the snooker championships became the first major british event to welcome back fans. raising the roof, champion mark selby. fans were turning in football and revolting proposals for european super league sparked outrage. fan power won for now. . , , ., now. manchester city are the premier lea . ue now. manchester city are the premier league champions. _ now. manchester city are the premier league champions. one _ now. manchester city are the premier league champions. one of— now. manchester city are the premier league champions. one of those - league champions. one of those involved was _ league champions. one of those involved was manchester - league champions. one of those involved was manchester city. i league champions. one of those - involved was manchester city. having won the league cup, they need... celebrations. how did —— as did chelsea women after they had to wait to the last of the season to clinch

the domestic prize of.— to the last of the season to clinch the domestic prize of. chelsea are the domestic prize of. chelsea are the champions _ the domestic prize of. chelsea are the champions of _ the domestic prize of. chelsea are the champions of england! - the domestic prize of. chelsea are the champions of england! still i the domestic prize of. chelsea are i the champions of england! still very little could match _ the champions of england! still very little could match the _ the champions of england! still very little could match the scenes - the champions of england! still very little could match the scenes of- little could match the scenes of jubilation in glasgow. in one side of it, at least. it’s jubilation in glasgow. in one side of it, at least.— jubilation in glasgow. in one side of it, at least. it's a big moment. we are right _ of it, at least. it's a big moment. we are right at — of it, at least. it's a big moment. we are right at the _ of it, at least. it's a big moment. we are right at the top. - of it, at least. it's a big moment. we are right at the top. the i of it, at least. it's a big moment. we are right at the top. the cupsj of it, at least. it's a big moment. i we are right at the top. the cups up belonas to we are right at the top. the cups up belongs to saint _ we are right at the top. the cups up belongs to saint johnston. - we are right at the top. the cups up belongs to saint johnston. still- we are right at the top. the cups up belongs to saint johnston. still no i belongs to saintjohnston. still no fans without. .. belongs to saintjohnston. still no fans without... that is what partly made the fa cup final so extraordinary. 21,000 inside wembley to witness one of the great cup final goals. to witness one of the great cup final goals-— to witness one of the great cup final goals. what a shot! fa cup winners for _ final goals. what a shot! fa cup winners for the _ final goals. what a shot! fa cup winners for the very _ final goals. what a shot! fa cup winners for the very first - final goals. what a shot! fa cup winners for the very first time. i final goals. what a shot! fa cup i winners for the very first time. one ofthe winners for the very first time. one of the year's _ winners for the very first time. one of the year's most _ winners for the very first time. one of the year's most poignant sporting moments. chelsea women's champions league final was played behind closed doors. fans back home they

will have watched through their fingers, beaten 4— 05 arsenal left. —— barcelona. forsome, it was fingers, beaten 4— 05 arsenal left. —— barcelona. for some, it was time to get reacquainted. manchester united course danced for a europa league final. a continental full english chelsea against manchester city. seeing chelsea return as kings of europe. in club football, at least 2021 was a year of international football. europe was finally opening up. the euros began with a nod to the past but i turned to the future.

the journey begins. lit up thejourney begins. lit up rome tonight. taste the journey begins. lit up rome toniaht. ~ . the journey begins. lit up rome toniaht. . ., ., ., ., ., tonight. we are looking forward to a com etent tonight. we are looking forward to a competent attention _ tonight. we are looking forward to a competent attention in _ tonight. we are looking forward to a competent attention in something i competent attention in something much _ competent attention in something much more important. —— a competition. much more important. -- a competition.— much more important. -- a competition. plunges it into sterlinu ! competition. plunges it into sterling! they _ competition. plunges it into sterling! they are _ competition. plunges it into sterling! they are back i competition. plunges it into sterling! they are back and | competition. plunges it into i sterling! they are back and eager competition. plunges it into - sterling! they are back and eager to make up for lost time. anguish. aha. make up for lost time. anguish. a really big night ahead. and i make up for lost time. anguish. a really big night ahead. and his i make up for lost time. anguish. a i really big night ahead. and his team have done the _ really big night ahead. and his team have done the nation _ really big night ahead. and his team have done the nation proud! - really big night ahead. and his team i have done the nation proud! goodness me, it's have done the nation proud! goodness me. it's loud- — have done the nation proud! goodness me, it's loud. yikes. _ have done the nation proud! goodness me, it's loud. yikes. only— have done the nation proud! goodness me, it's loud. yikes. only a _ have done the nation proud! goodness me, it's loud. yikes. only a win i me, it's loud. yikes. only a win will do.

me, it's loud. yikes. only a win will do- two _ me, it's loud. yikes. only a win will do. two players _ me, it's loud. yikes. only a win will do. two players is - me, it's loud. yikes. only a win| will do. two players is isolating, too much criticised. _ the start of the knockout stage of the european championship. lovely touch. flag stays down. it's 4—0 for this tournament. this time, that's that. this is an amazing story being told in budapest. it is the first short knockout at euro 2020, and the reign of portugal as european champions is over. has to find the back of the net. the role champions, france, are going home. it’s back of the net. the role champions, france, are going home.— france, are going home. it's not the final, itjust — france, are going home. it's not the final, it just feels _ france, are going home. it's not the final, it just feels that _ france, are going home. it's not the final, it just feels that way. - final, it just feels that way. incomes _ final, it just feels that way. incomes the captain! it's finally happened. this is one of those landmark football moments that don't

come around too often. things could get better and better and better. kane! ukraine blown away. england on their own. ., ., , ., ,, kane! ukraine blown away. england on their own-— it i their own. england and denmark! it was delightful! _ their own. england and denmark! it was delightful! sterling! _ wembley is alive and thundering with noise! into the final of a major tournament for the first time in 55 years! tournament for the first time in 55 ears! ., , , ., , years! england versus italy in the final of the _ years! england versus italy in the

final of the european _ years! england versus italy in the i final of the european championship. excitement around wembley that hasn't _ excitement around wembley that hasn't been felt since, you know in. it's hasn't been felt since, you know in. it's luke _ hasn't been felt since, you know in. it's luke shaw! it's the start of dreams! this is a problem, it is in. england once again are involved in a penalty shoot—out. the nation holds its breath. saved! italy are the champions of europe. huge disappointment for england. the aftermath of the final equally so. the racist abuse of some players prompted more national soul—searching. prompted more national soul-searching.- prompted more national soul-searching. prompted more national soul-searchina. , ., ., soul-searching. the boys have done soul-searching. the boys have done so well for us. _ soul-searching. the boys have done so well for us, which _ soul-searching. the boys have done so well for us, which i _

soul-searching. the boys have done so well for us, which i think- soul-searching. the boys have done so well for us, which i think is i so well for us, which i think is brought so many parts of our country together for some of them to be abused is unforgivable. the final two saw the _ abused is unforgivable. the final two saw the dark _ abused is unforgivable. the final two saw the dark side _ abused is unforgivable. the final two saw the dark side of - abused is unforgivable. the final two saw the dark side of the i abused is unforgivable. the final i two saw the dark side of the turning fans. images of crowd trouble at wembley before the game were being around the world. a damning report would call it a day of national shame. ~ . . , , would call it a day of national shame. . ., ., , , .,, would call it a day of national shame. . ., ., ,, ., , would call it a day of national shame. . ., ., ,, .,, ., , ., shame. what happened was a very near miss, and shame. what happened was a very near miss. and that — shame. what happened was a very near miss, and that near _ shame. what happened was a very near miss, and that near miss _ shame. what happened was a very near miss, and that near miss would - shame. what happened was a very near miss, and that near miss would be i shame. what happened was a very near miss, and that near miss would be a i miss, and that near miss would be a significant _ miss, and that near miss would be a significant loss of life or injuries, _ significant loss of life or injuries, probably on a scale that sadly— injuries, probably on a scale that sadly we — injuries, probably on a scale that sadly we saw at hillsboro. across the capital. _ sadly we saw at hillsboro. across the capital, things _ sadly we saw at hillsboro. across the capital, things are _ sadly we saw at hillsboro. across the capital, things are far- sadly we saw at hillsboro. across the capital, things are far more l the capital, things are far more serene. new stars were emerging whilst others were shining once more. . ., , ,, whilst others were shining once more. . ., , whilst others were shining once more. .. , more. the championships are back. your england _ more. the championships are back. your england club _ more. the championships are back. your england club looks _ your england club looks picture—perfect- your england club looks picture—perfect and i your england club looks i picture—perfect and ready to your england club looks _ picture—perfect and ready to welcome back the _ picture—perfect and ready to welcome back the fans — picture-perfect and ready to welcome back the fans-— back the fans. back where he belon . s. back the fans. back where he belongs- he _ back the fans. back where he belongs. he has _ back the fans. back where he belongs. he has done - back the fans. back where he belongs. he has done it i back the fans. back where he l belongs. he has done it again.

back the fans. back where he i belongs. he has done it again. i feel very lucky _ belongs. he has done it again. i feel very lucky i _ belongs. he has done it again. i feel very lucky i get _ belongs. he has done it again. i feel very lucky i get to - belongs. he has done it again. i feel very lucky i get to do it i feel very lucky i get to do it again _ feel very lucky i get to do it again i'm _ feel very lucky i get to do it again i'm going _ feel very lucky i get to do it again. i'm going to- feel very lucky i get to do it again. i'm going to do- feel very lucky i get to do it again. i'm going to do it i feel very lucky i get to do it i again. i'm going to do it again, i want— again. i'm going to do it again, i want to— again. i'm going to do it again, i want to play _ again. i'm going to do it again, i want to play. irre— again. i'm going to do it again, i want to play-— again. i'm going to do it again, i want to play. again. i'm going to do it again, i wantto -la .~ ., , ., ., want to play. we have 'ust heard one ofthe want to play. we have 'ust heard one of the sporting _ want to play. we have 'ust heard one of the sporting roars i want to play. we have just heard one of the sporting roars of _ want to play. we have just heard one of the sporting roars of the year. i of the sporting roars of the year. wimbledon has a new star. 18—year—old emma raducanu. wimbledon has a new star. 18-year-old emma raducanu. ashleigh ba ! 18-year-old emma raducanu. ashleigh barty! destiny — 18-year-old emma raducanu. ashleigh barty! destiny fulfilled. _ 18-year-old emma raducanu. ashleigh barty! destiny fulfilled. and _ 18-year-old emma raducanu. ashleigh barty! destiny fulfilled. and the i barty! destiny fulfilled. and the celebrations _ barty! destiny fulfilled. and the celebrations can _ barty! destiny fulfilled. and the celebrations can begin. - it's the sixth wimbledon title. there was a new name on the list of golf�*s open champions. what an incredible debut. the american winning in the first attempt. not

for either of them, their final victory of the year. cycling's biggest moment was won by the british focus, on mark cavendish. harlequins were crowned men's premiership rugby union champions. before a much disrupted tour ended with the british and irish lions narrowly beaten in south africa. there were some fans back at wembley. st. helens is all off castleford. but the summer of 2021 will be remembered for the biggest sporting event of all — the delayed olympics that almost didn't happen again. the global games and it's a global crisis, athletes bringing home both medals and memories.

# wondering what the world would be like # i knew i had to change my mind # i knew i had to change my mind # didn't realise what would happen oh so soon. still # didn't realise what would happen oh so soon-— oh so soon. still the olympic champion- — oh so soon. still the olympic champion. we _ oh so soon. still the olympic champion. we love - oh so soon. still the olympic champion. we love you. i champion. we love you. # the _ champion. we love you. # the way _ champion. we love you. # the way it's - champion. we love you. # the way it's so i champion. we love you. i # the way it's so different champion. we love you. - # the way it's so different now... # the way it's so different now... # there's a place... # there's a place... # when i don't know what to say # when i don't know what to say

# when i don't know what to do # when i don't know what to do # there's a room i need to sit in # there's a room i need to sit in # surrounded by my favourite view. skye brown will take bronze! looking reall aood skye brown will take bronze! looking really good at — skye brown will take bronze! looking really good at the _ skye brown will take bronze! looking really good at the moment. - skye brown will take bronze! looking really good at the moment. can i skye brown will take bronze! looking really good at the moment. can you | really good at the moment. can you believe _ really good at the moment. can you believe that? — believe that? # _ believe that? i # independence believe that? - # independence cost believe that? _ # independence cost me the believe that? — # independence cost me the price hetteve that? — # independence cost me the price of questioning your own advised # i know will be all right # i know will be all right # i know will be all right # i do #ido # i do # what #ido #whatl # i do # what i do. # what i do. # i see the world # i see the world # there's a place that i see, and there's my time

# when i don't know what to say # when i don't know what to say # when i don't know what to do # when i don't know what to do # there's a room i need to sit in # there's a room i need to sit in # surrounded by my favourite view # when i need a hand to hold # when i need a hand to hold # so i can tell the truth # so i can tell the truth # would it be ok if i came home to you? # would it be ok if i came home to ou? ,., # would it be ok if i came home to ou? , ., ., # would it be ok if i came home to ou? ., , ., �* ., you? golden for great britain in to 0. you? golden for great britain in tokyo. worthington _ you? golden for great britain in tokyo. worthington is - you? golden for great britain in | tokyo. worthington is absolutely smashing the second rung out of the park! _ smashing the second rung out of the park! it _ smashing the second rung out of the park! it is _ smashing the second rung out of the park! it is a — smashing the second rung out of the park! it is a glittering fifth gold medal— park! it is a glittering fifth gold medal for laura kenny.- park! it is a glittering fifth gold medal for laura kenny. we're olympic cham-ions. medal for laura kenny. we're olympic champions- i'm _ medal for laura kenny. we're olympic champions. i'm so _ medal for laura kenny. we're olympic champions. i'm so proud. _ medal for laura kenny. we're olympic champions. i'm so proud. jason i champions. i'm so proud. jason kenn ! champions. i'm so proud. jason kenny! double _ champions. i'm so proud. jason kenny! double olympic - champions. i'm so proud. jason i kenny! double olympic champions. # when i kenny! double olympic champions. # when i see _ kenny! double olympic champions. # when i see the _ kenny! double olympic champions. # when i see the world _ kenny! double olympic champions. # when i see the world so i kenny! double olympic champions. | # when i see the world so different now

# because there's a place that i see, and that's my town # when i don't know what to say # when i don't know what to say # when i don't know what to do # when i don't know what to do # would it be ok if i came home to you? # no, would it be ok if i came home to you? the. # no, would it be ok ifi came home to ou? �* ., # no, would it be ok ifi came home to ., ., . # no, would it be ok ifi came home to ou? ~ ., ., . to you? a captivated audience back home barely _ to you? a captivated audience back home barely had _ to you? a captivated audience back home barely had time _ to you? a captivated audience back home barely had time to _ to you? a captivated audience back home barely had time to draw- to you? a captivated audience back. home barely had time to draw breath. no sooner had the olympians returned with their medals, the paralympians were off to tokyo set on winning more. she was crying, and i was too, but you never really make up together like that. i you never really make up together like that. ., , ., like that. i literally gave everything _ like that. i literally gave everything i _ like that. i literally gave everything i had. i like that. i literally gave everything i had. one i like that. i literally gave i everything i had. one tenth of

like that. i literally gave - everything i had. one tenth of the second _ everything i had. one tenth of the second it — everything i had. one tenth of the second. it was ridiculous. now everything i had. one tenth of the second. it was ridiculous.- everything i had. one tenth of the second. it was ridiculous. nowl am so much more- _ second. it was ridiculous. nowl am so much more- i— second. it was ridiculous. nowl am so much more. i worked _ second. it was ridiculous. nowl am so much more. i worked for- second. it was ridiculous. nowl am so much more. i worked for this i second. it was ridiculous. nowl am so much more. i worked for this for such a long — so much more. i worked for this for such a long time, _ so much more. i worked for this for such a long time, but _ so much more. i worked for this for such a long time, but i _ such a long time, but i worked independently, so now i finished all three. we're finished. i'm going home. as britain was gaining champions, it was also losing one for now. anthony joshua lost all four of his head titles, beaten by alexander erucic. england's net bowlers were winning their series against new zealand. most over in the united states, there was a genuinely astonishing

story unfolding. # one night in new york # one night in new york # feels like a lifetime anywhere. having caught the eye at wimbledon, 18—year—old emma raducanu is now making her mark at the us open. # this town is champaign # this town is champaign # so shake the bottle, pop the core. going through qualifying, she won herfirst nine matches going through qualifying, she won her first nine matches without dropping a set incredibly, all the way to herfinal in history. dropping a set incredibly, all the way to her final in history. before the match. _ way to her final in history. before the match. i _ way to her final in history. before the match, i was— way to her final in history. before the match, i was nervous. i - way to her final in history. before the match, i was nervous. i felt l the match, i was nervous. i felt like something wasn't quite right. something felt a little bit off. i think_ something felt a little bit off. i think that'sjust usual something felt a little bit off. i think that's just usual nerves, but once i_ think that's just usual nerves, but once i got— think that's just usual nerves, but once i got onto the court, i was just having — once i got onto the court, i was just having a lot of fun out there, and i_ just having a lot of fun out there, and i think— just having a lot of fun out there, and i think that's what helped because — and i think that's what helped because i wasn't distracted. i was 'ust because i wasn't distracted. i was just focusing on what i had to do. this fairy— just focusing on what i had to do. this fairy tale caught the world's

imagination. emma raducanu, teenage grand slam winner, now with the world at her feet. # night world at herfeet. # night in new york. the united states also was the venue for golf�*s most eagerly anticipated events. # 0h, say does that star—spangled banner yet wave? # 0h, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave?— banner yet wave? hitting all the ri . ht banner yet wave? hitting all the right notes _ banner yet wave? hitting all the right notes on _ banner yet wave? hitting all the right notes on the _ banner yet wave? hitting all the right notes on the opening - banner yet wave? hitting all the right notes on the opening day, | right notes on the opening day, europe. the first irish woman to claim the competition. she was brilliant. teen usa would come fighting. brilliant. teen usa would come fiuuhtin. ., , .,�* brilliant. teen usa would come fiuuhtin. ., , ~ ., fighting. you 'ust don't know what's auoin to fighting. you just don't know what's going to happen _ fighting. you just don't know what's

going to happen next. _ fighting. you just don't know what's going to happen next. victory - fighting. you just don't know what's| going to happen next. victory inside for there, going to happen next. victory inside for there. they _ going to happen next. victory inside for there, they wouldn't _ going to happen next. victory inside for there, they wouldn't let - going to happen next. victory inside for there, they wouldn't let go. - for there, they wouldn't let go. matilda retained the title. absolutely brilliant. before emily pendleton. up up in wisconsin, there was marketing desk celebrating the ryder cup. team usa were going to great lengths to make this look every bit the record breaker. ., �* , make this look every bit the record breaker. . �* , . ., , breaker. that's ridiculous! unbelievable! _ breaker. that's ridiculous! unbelievable! it _ breaker. that's ridiculous! unbelievable! it sucks - breaker. that's ridiculous! . unbelievable! it sucks losing. breaker. that's ridiculous! - unbelievable! it sucks losing. it sucks not being _ unbelievable! it sucks losing. it sucks not being able _ unbelievable! it sucks losing. it sucks not being able to - unbelievable! it sucks losing. it sucks not being able to be - sucks not being able to be competitive. _ sucks not being able to be competitive.— sucks not being able to be com etitive. ., .,, , . ., competitive. the atmosphere could have been predicted. _ competitive. the atmosphere could have been predicted. the _ competitive. the atmosphere could. have been predicted. the dominance of team usa should have been.

in october, the london marathon was back, biggerthan in october, the london marathon was back, bigger than ever. another mile marker in this longest of races back to normality. nothing normal about what was taking place in las vegas the following week. third fight theory, still champion of the world. back on england's green, there was so nearly a french champion in rugby league. cattle and dragons of our side to super league's finale of season. they should have been a world cup to follow, but that now will have to wait another year. 2021 undoubtedly belonged to st. helens, winning the women's title as well. chelsea finish there's been before

completing the much delayed fa cup final in front of 40,000. fags. completing the much delayed fa cup final in front of 40,000.— final in front of 40,000. fa cup victo . final in front of 40,000. fa cup victory- the _ final in front of 40,000. fa cup victory. the first _ final in front of 40,000. fa cup victory. the first silverware - final in front of 40,000. fa cup victory. the first silverware of l final in front of 40,000. fa cup i victory. the first silverware of the new season _ victory. the first silverware of the new season in _ victory. the first silverware of the new season in scotland _ victory. the first silverware of the new season in scotland went - victory. the first silverware of the new season in scotland went to l new season in scotland went to celtic. cricket�*s t20 was won perhaps surprisingly by the australia, where england's test side won their year. starting in the worst possible way. 2021 was a year that cricket was forced to reflect on much graver issues. the racism scandal is posing questions.- scandal is posing questions. there seems to be _ scandal is posing questions. there seems to be an _ scandal is posing questions. there seems to be an exception, - scandal is posing questions. there seems to be an exception, no - scandal is posing questions. there seems to be an exception, no one| seems to be an exception, no one ever stamps it out. the seems to be an exception, no one ever stamps it out.— ever stamps it out. the response could now _ ever stamps it out. the response could now define _ ever stamps it out. the response could now define the _ ever stamps it out. the response could now define the domestic. ever stamps it out. the response - could now define the domestic game for years to come. the sporting drama, there was little to rival the rivalry in formula one. the battle

to be number one was possibly the most intense the sport has ever seen. lewis hamilton one in the desert. it was becoming clear that max verstappen was going to push and all the way. attire exploding to almost 200 miles an hour, robbing verstappen of victory. silverstein was a turning point. hungary was chaotic. in italy, the pair needed to be separated once more. the rivalry was bullying —— boiling over. there was nothing to prepare fans for what followed. allowed verstappen to controversially take the reins and the title. the amazing season deserved an amazing ending. this will live long in their memory.

the arguments will go on perhaps just as long. if you could really disagree with the bbc�*s sports personality of the year. disagree with the bbc's sports personality of the year.- personality of the year. emma raducanu- _ personality of the year. emma raducanu. having _ personality of the year. emma raducanu. having created - personality of the year. emma i raducanu. having created history personality of the year. emma - raducanu. having created history in 2021, it raducanu. having created history in 2021. it was — raducanu. having created history in 2021, it was perhaps _ raducanu. having created history in 2021, it was perhaps in _ raducanu. having created history in 2021, it was perhaps in keeping - raducanu. having created history in| 2021, it was perhaps in keeping with the last 12 months of emma raducanu receiving her award and covid isolation. this extraordinary sporting year ending rather like it began. hello. chances of seeing a white christmas are very limited. for many, it looks quite grey and damp, and that's how christmas eve is

playing out so far. the forecast in the lead up to christmas has always been about mild or wetter weather trying to feet in from the southwest into colder conditions. that's exactly how the christmas weather is going to play out. further northeast you are, the colder a christmas it will be. further southwest, the milder. rain at times. we've got another weather system feeding in some rain at the moment across more of southard into south east england, the midlands and wales. also another with cloud and patchy rain. maybe a few flurries to the highest ground out of that. brightest conditions across northern scotland, but this is where it's cold is today. a few wintry showers in the northern isles. on through the night and into christmas day, this weather system with the rain will feel its way further north. may produce a few flurries, and another system pushing into south wales and southwest england. mild of course here, but

the coldest conditions in scotland with the clear skies down to —6 or seven in some spots. with the cloud, as we start christmas day, quite a bit of mist and fog. we get to bring this outbreaks of rain a little more across england, wales and northern ireland. perhaps seeing some snow into snow doni and later into the peak district. the clear spells in northern england, where it will be coldest, mild to the far southwest. for many, christmas day is looking rather chilly. overnight into boxing day, as the waiter weather feeds into the cold air, this is where we have the lowest temperatures, and that doesn't bring the potential for snow on boxing day. low levels across northern england in southern

scotland. plenty of cloud elsewhere with a few showers, the brightest weather on boxing day towards south wales, and this again where the mildest weather is going to be.

this is bbc news broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. our top stories... new records for covid in the uk — the highest number of daily cases since the pandemic began and an estimated i—point—7 million are reported to have had the virus on a single day last week. millions around the world face travel disruption over christmas, as the surge in omicron variant cases sees flights cancelled due to staff shortages. at least 39 people are killed after a packed ferry caught fire in southern bangladesh. the most powerful telescope to ever be launched into space is due to blast off on christmas day. and the queen is expected to give a very personal christmas message this year, her first since the death of her husband prince philip.