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Sportshour: The Best of 2014

Live Saturday morning global sports show with reports, debate and humour.

We have selected our favorite moments, interviews and features from the last year

January - Former Heavyweight Champion of the World Michael Bentt recalls his suicide attempts and how he fought his battle with depression to build a new life in Hollywood.

February - Hamish Hamilton the director of the Half Time show at the Superbowl describes what it’s like to be in charge of the most watched television event in history!

March - Ian McKinley tells us of his remarkable return to rugby with the use of specially designed goggles that protect his eyes following a near career ending eye gouge.

April - Hear former jockey Geraldine Rees who, in 1982, became the first woman to complete the Grand National riding a horse called "Cheers".

May - Every May someone becomes an FA Cup legend... In 1968 that person was West Bromich Albion's Jeff Astle, but by the time of his death from a degenerative brain disease in 2002 (A verdict of death by industrial injury was recorded) he had no recollection of his winning goal.

June - The week before the Wimbledon Championships we went to the qualifying tournament at Roehampton Tennis Club, where we met and followed the progress of sixteen-year-old Croatian, Ana Konjuh. She ended up going all the way to the 3rd round!

July - As part of our Commonwealth Games coverage we spoke to former Olympic kayaker and proud father Dean Oldershaw who encouraged his daughter Marni, looking for swimming gold, with the family motto of “paddle ‘til she puke”. Marni however agreed to “swim ‘til she’s sick”.

August - The Ray Rice scandal engulfed the NFL in August. Domestic violence was not new to the sport as former American footballer Katie Hnida - the first woman to score in the highest level of College Football laid bare the dark underbelly of America's Game, recalling her time at Colorado University and the alleged violence and sexual abuse she endured.

September - Ghoncheh Ghavami was imprisoned without charge in Iran following her attempt to enter a stadium to watch an international volleyball match. We spoke to her brother Iman who pleaded for her release. (she was eventually released on bail in November)

October - We traveled to the small town of Drumnadrochit on the banks of Scotland’s Loch Ness to see a sight rarer than the monster that lurks in the murky water. An African shinty player!

November – We head to a country in mourning after the violent death of its national football captain... South Africa's Senzo Meyiwa who was shot dead in a suspected burglary. One of Senzo's former team mates and close friend Benni McCarthy tells us of the stain it left on South African society.

Sporting Witness - Returns to the World Cup and remembers a seminal moment in the history of African football.

Photo: Bruno Mars performs with Anthony Kiedis and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers during the Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show in February, 2014 (Credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images)

55 minutes

Last on

Sat 27 Dec 2014 10:05GMT

Broadcast

  • Sat 27 Dec 2014 10:05GMT

Podcast