The first sport to feature on the Olympic podium is expected to be basketball. Basketball is one of the most popular sport in all nations and has the potential to attract a huge following. It is very popular in the United States and many people follow its progress at the college and professional levels. A few years ago, basketball was not even on the sporting agenda of the United Kingdom. However, following the lead of Germany and France, who both won the recent world basketball event, the UK is backing a bid for the next Olympic games.
Many people think that basketball is simply a game played between two teams, although it is much more than this. It involves a mix of technique, agility, speed, balance and form, as well as good sportsmanship among players. Although basketball is an old game, the popularity of it shows no sign of fading away and it is widely accepted as a popular sport in all parts of the globe.
Chess has also had a stupendous year. Both the world and the city of London have hosted major tournaments, attracting millions of spectators and participants. The number of grandmasters has increased dramatically over the last few years and the International Chess Games is now a major international sporting event. Chess has never been popular in the United Kingdom before, but following the huge boost in interest brought about by the London Chess Festival, it is now fast becoming a big hit. There are already rumors that the next Olympic games may feature chess as an extravaganza.
Another game that is hugely popular in the United Kingdom is football. The English Premier League is regarded as the second most popular sport in the country after basketball. The matches are sometimes referred to as English Cup matches and they are highly competitive, with the matches taking place every four weeks. Every four years the competition grows fiercer and there is an enormous amount of money involved. Last year’s champions, Chelsea, are favorites to win again this season.
Rugby has had a bit of a fall from its high peak, but it is still the most popular sport in England and Wales. It is played between two teams and it has been known to cause a lot of upset results, especially when the Welsh and Irish meet up. They are also regularly plagued by the England and Scotland.
Skateboarding has experienced a massive rise in the last decade or so. It has become very popular among people of all ages and even some celebrities have gotten into the game. The newest sensation in the world of skateboarding is the Skateboard Park, which is located in London. Skateboard parks are usually places where skateboarders go to try their skills on an assortment of different skateboards.
