The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic continues its devastating impact on the sporting world, with almost all forms now suspended or postponed.
In football, the Premier League are set to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to decide the season’s fate, but until then we are very much in the dark.
With little sport to watch in the coming days, weeks and months, why not reflect on some sporting memories from the past.
Below is a list of five great sporting moments that took place on this day, March 17, across a number of years.
Michael Dickinson’s 1983 ‘famous five’ at the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Trainer Michael Dickinson made history in 1983, bringing home the first five horses in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, arguably one of the greatest moments in the competition’s history.
He subsequently became the first trainer to ever win more than £300,000 in a single season.
Jo Jackson’s 2009 400m freestyle world record
Olympic Bronze medallist made British sporting history in 2009, setting a new world record in the 400m frestlye at the British Swimming Championships in Sheffield.
Jackson clocked in with a time of four minutes 00.66 seconds at Ponds Forge, beating Rebecca Adlington in the process.
Portsmouth’s nine point deduction all but seals relegation
In 2010, Portsmouth were hit with a nine-point deduction after entering administration. Sat rock bottom of the Premier League table, it meant they moved 17 points from safety with just nine games remaining. Essentially, they were relegated from that point on. Not surprisingly, manager Avram Grant felt the decision was unjust.
Portsmouth now sit fourth in League One, yet to return to the Premier League.
Sir Alex Ferguson handed a five-match touchline ban
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was fined £30,000 and handed a five-match touchline ban in 2011 for his comments made about referee Martin Atkinson after his side slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea.
Ferguson, of all games, missed an FA Cup Semi-final against rivals Manchester City. And yes, you guessed it, City game out victorious to reach their first FA Cup final in 30 years.
Fabrice Muamba suffers cardiac arrest at White Hart Lane
In 2012 Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during the first half of their FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham.
The game was of course abandoned, while Muamba luckily survived, despite the fact his heart stopped beating for 78 minutes.
Kevin Pietersen announces his retirement from cricket
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen announced on Twitter in 2018 that he was retiring from professional cricket, bowing out undeniably as a legend of the game.
Pietersen scored a whopping 8181 Test runs for England in 104 matches. He sits fifth in the all time list, Alastair Cook at number one.
