What Happened? 2014 Sports News

Sporting legends made their presence felt in 2014 but it was the behaviour off the field that garnered most of the attention.

Events

It was the FIFA World Cup 2014 that gained the most attention kicking off the year with some truly shocking events including protests after Brazil's dismal performance and subsequent defeat with Germany taking the title. The Winter Olympics took place in Sochi Russia and went relatively smoothly even if there were issues with accommodation.

The Laureus sports awards recognized the skills and technique needed to succeed in the world of sport while the big annual events saw the best of the best at Wimbledon where Novak Djokovic took the title along with Martin Kaymer who won the US Open. On the team front the Super Bowl was won by the Seattle Seahawks while the World Series went to the San Francisco Giants.

Individuals

Sporting legends made the news like former F1 champion Michael Schumaker who made progress and was brought out of his coma. Derek Jeter played his final game at Fenway Park in an emotional event which saw everyone from celebrities to athletes tip their hat in respect. Soccer legend Pele was hospitalized following surgery for kidney stones but was later released and Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to join the NFL.

It wasn't all good news when Australian Phillip Hughes passed away 2 days after sustaining a head injury during a cricket match. The NFL had a major image problem with domestic abuse claims and child abuse taking center stage and things got down right ugly at the FIFA soccer world cup which saw unsportsmanlike behaviour when Brazil's Neymar was kneed in the back and when Uruguayan player Luiz Suarez was banned after biting another player. Finally, off the court we saw the Oscar Pistorius trial which had people glued to the TV and the court room drama when Donald Sterling lost the Clippers in a disputed sale but walked away with $2billion despite his actions.

Presenting the Champions

A week of skill and agility with others just barely holding on.

Anyone for Tennis?

Upsets a plenty when big names were knocked out of contention at the Australian Open from the start but the show kept on going with Stanislas Wawrinka managing to beat Rafael Nadal taking the men's title.

Li Na took the women's title after her third trip to the finals at the Australian Open.

The men's double's title went to Lukasz Kubot and Robert Lindstedt in their first attempt at the Australian Open.

Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci retained the Australian women's doubles title beating Russia's Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina.

Finally Daniel Nestor and Kristina Mladenovic took the mixed double's title rounding off another Australian Open.

Warming up for a Winter Wonderland

With threats of attack from militants at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia security measures are in place with promises from Russia's Homeland Security.

Fans are helping raise money for the Jamaican bobsled team.

And proving that some people aren't gracious in defeat a Dutch speed skater "flipped the bird" at a rival after losing.

Sports Stars fading

After his controversial visit to North Korea, Denis Rodman has checked himself into rehab.

A-Rod decided to sue Major League Baseball and the Players Association which provided plenty of cannon fodder for the comics.

And finally the UCI might cut Lance Armstrong's ban if he co-operates in helping identify other dope cheats.