Russia's Luzhniki stadium dazzled after a meek start to the world athletic championships and the athletes holding forte were the usual suspects. While Isinbayeva's vault might have been the sight that the locals yearned for most, it was on the track that two legends reiterated their supremacy in their respective disciplines. Bolt raked in another three golds in the 100, 200 and 4 X 100 m and tied with Carl Lewis, Allyson Felix and Micahel Johnson on the all time list for world championship titles. Add another two silvers and he is the most successful athlete of all time in the competition's 30 year history. All this and he is 26. There is in all probability another Olympics and world championships to be run before he hangs up his golden boots and retires his signature bolt and that should take his legend to heights that may just be out of reach for following mortals.
Mo Farah made the double double by landing the 5000m and 10000 m titles following up the two golds he won at his home town in London. His late kicks in the home stretch leave his rivals in shock and he has established himself as the force to reckon with in the long distance races. The only thing he needs to topple tfor becoming the greatest British athlete of all time are the world records held by Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele. The signature M (or is it the heart) should make an appearance a few more times on the world stage if the diminutive Mo carries on with a legacy that is already touching dizzying heights.
Rafael Nadal has started the US Open series with a bang and the knee trouble is nowhere in sight. With back to back Masters 1000 titles at the Roger's cup and in Cincy, he is back to number two in the ATP rankings and going on current form, should be the best bet to end the year above Novak at the helm. Federer's experiment with a larger racquet head back fired and although the older weapon got him in contention, he seems lost for good now. Already at number five in the rankings, a further fall seems imminent and one wonders how long can the great take the batterings before calling time. The last grand slam of the year is nigh and it would be the top three that would carry the favorite's tag this time around.
England held the Ashes with a washed out draw at Old Trafford but underlined their supremacy with another thrilling win at Chester-le-Street. With Warner and Rogers giving the Aussies a strong platform to chase down 300, it would have been some redemption for the tourists but the batting again folded much to the chagrin of their supporters. Other than Clarke, there doesn't seem to be too many blokes in the batting order who seem to enjoy being out there in the middle and this performance casts a big doubt on whether the Kangaroos have it in them to wrest back the trophy in the return series come summer down under. The Aussies needed a hero when the series started to be in with a chance but sadly there was none who could impose himself.