Caster Semenya, 18, of South Africa celebrates after winning the women's 800 meter final during the world athletics championships at the Olympic stadium in Berlin on Aug. 19, 2009. (Dominic Ebenbichler/Reuters)

The top 10 sports figures who helped define a year

And one New Year's wish: that the glories of sport trump the inglorious in the coming year.

By Mark Starr - GlobalPost Columnist
Published: January 1, 2010 09:08 ET

BOSTON — Once upon a time, the odd year — without an Olympics or a World Cup — tended to be relatively uneventful. But in today’s high-stakes sports universe, nobody can afford a season off. The year 2009 was unquestionably an “on” year, filled with glory and, as is now always the case, plenty of the inglorious too. Below are the 10 people who helped define...

Recent on Sports:

The top 10 sports figures who helped define a year

Mark Starr - Sports - January 1, 2010 09:08 ET

And one New Year's wish: that the glories of sport trump the inglorious in the coming year.

Tiger and Elin Woods' new home: surrounded by ice

Marcus Oscarsson - Sports - December 13, 2009 13:00 ET

The rustic Swedish estate purchased by Elin Nordegren Woods doesn't have indoor plumbing during winter.

Can Elin go home again?

Marcus Oscarsson - Sports - December 13, 2009 12:50 ET

How Elin Nordegren Woods, known by one name in her native land, epitomizes the Swedish character.

Tiger Woods: A golfer still, but on whose team?

Mark Starr - Sports - December 11, 2009 09:21 ET

Golf will be back in the Olympics in 2016. But whether Woods will be there to show for it — and on whose team — remains an open question.

Highlights from the 2010 World Cup draw

Mark Starr - Sports - December 4, 2009 17:34 ET

South Africa was more than a little unlucky, but for the US there is hope where there was once despair.

Opinion: Hey FIFA, how low can you go?

Mark Starr - Sports - November 25, 2009 07:07 ET

On the sinking integrity of soccer's international governing body and why the World Cup will be regarded with suspicion.

Outraged Ireland demands a replay

Conor O'Clery - Ireland - November 19, 2009 11:53 ET

A French hand ball puts Ireland out of the World Cup.

World Cup: Bad soccer!

Mark Starr - Sports - November 17, 2009 12:29 ET

The backdrop of South Africa promises to be colorful, but the footwork on the field may leave a bit to be desired.

"Damned United" and the tragedy at Leeds

Mark Starr - Sports - November 13, 2009 21:56 ET

A genuine soccer movie tells the story of Brian Clough, the greatest soccer coach in England to never coach the national team.

A kick in the buck

Cristina Mateo-Yanguas - Spain - November 13, 2009 06:25 ET

Why the elimination of a tax break could spell the end of glory days for Spanish club soccer.

Opinion: ALS, Lou Gehrig and Michael

Mark Starr - Worldview - November 8, 2009 10:16 ET

How one man's struggle with ALS called on Major League Baseball to take a stand.

Micronesia hosts its first outrigger canoe festival

Justin Nobel - Asia - November 6, 2009 07:02 ET

An ancient, nearly forgotten form of sailing is revived on the island of Yap.

Golf's homeland laments its decline

William Echikson - Sports - November 2, 2009 07:05 ET

For Scotland, the ascendancy of Scandinavian golfers was a wake-up call.

In Taiwan, pro baseball is all mobbed up

Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - November 1, 2009 10:27 ET

For some professional players, losing is an offer they can't refuse.

Playing “Moneyball” with money

Mark Starr - Sports - October 30, 2009 12:24 ET

Why the economics of America's national sport may never be the same.

America's Cup in troubled waters

Tom Hundley - Middle East - October 27, 2009 22:52 ET

Fear of terrorism, Iran and pirates at issue in court battle over holding the cup race in the United Arab Emirates.

Football at Wembley — with a twist

Mark Starr - Sports - October 22, 2009 17:39 ET

The NFL markets its game abroad, starting with New England vs. Tampa Bay in London on Sunday.

Will Berlin, and its soccer team, succeed?

Cameron Abadi - Germany - October 17, 2009 09:21 ET

Hertha BSC's lousy performance in spite of high hopes mirrors the city of Berlin since the fall of the wall.

Hockey-crazed Canada can't keep the puck on its own turf

Sandro Contenta - Canada - October 16, 2009 14:15 ET

How a billionaire's thwarted effort to bring the Phoenix Coyotes to Ontario reinforces the troubling trend of NHL teams migrating south.

The "little country that could" didn't

Mark Starr - Sports - October 14, 2009 20:50 ET

In a World Cup drama, tiny Uruguay tried — but failed — to put Argentina out of its misery.

Global Blogs:

Days of Christmas Giveaway: Are You Kidding Me? (Rocco’s Book)

Editor, The "Armchair Golf Blog" - Sports - January 6, 2010 11:45 ET

IT’S TIME TO CLEAR my shelves of golf books, golf DVDs and a few golf accessories. So welcome to Day 8 of the Days of Christmas Giveaway at ARMCHAIR GOLF.Today’s giveaway: ARE YOU KIDDING ME? by...

Asian-Americans pack arenas to see Jeremy Lin

Interbasket International Basketball - Sports - January 6, 2010 07:44 ET

The idea of an Asian basketball player bringing in the Asian fans isn’t a new thing; there was Ma Jian nearly making the Los Angeles Clippers roster with the undertone of attempting to bring in more Asian fans. Then there was the Yao Ming coming into the NBA, and allegedly...

Americans Abroad Recap and Video Highlights: Clint Dempsey scores, Guzan wins,...

Jonathon Feyerherm, Author, The 90th Minute Soccer Blog - Sports - January 5, 2010 23:44 ET

Its a very busy time in English football as the Football Association (FA) Cup started its 3rd round this past weekend and there were a few midweek EPL fixtures. American goalkeeper Braz Guzan who has been a back-up to Brad Friedel got a start on Saturday as Aston Villa took on...

February Vanity Fair article attacks Tiger Woods

The editors, "The Golf Blog" - Sports - January 5, 2010 22:30 ET

In February's issue of Vanity Fair, Buzz Bissinger writes an article "Tiger in the Rough" that attacks Tiger Woods like no other article ever has. It's a scathing attack on Tiger Woods. Here's a...

“SMARTER” DINARA SAFINA WILL PLAY THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Honor Rovai, Writer & Editor, "Go To Tennis" blog - Sports - January 6, 2010 02:45 ET

Photo via medibankinternational.com.au Good news! Sidelined since October with a back injury, a healed and happy-sounding Dinara Safina says she’s fit for the 2010 Australian...

Record crowd for Harlequins vs Wasps classic

Contributor, "Rugby Dump" blog - Sports - January 6, 2010 12:01 ET

A record Guinness Premiership crowd turned out at Twickenham on Boxing Day to watch Wasps achieve a narrow 21-20 victory over rivals Harlequins.An expectant crowd of 76,617 arrived for the match in...

Global Sports News

Our global sports news coverage is a valuable resource for international sports buffs. GlobalPost's foreign correspondents are at the top of their game sharing their unique insights on everything from cricket in South Africa to elephant polo in Thailand. Readers can enjoy easy access to engaging world sports news stories, video, photo essays and blog postings.

World Sports News

If you wish to make comments about our international sports news stories, or receive periodic global news updates, please register. To access even more global sports news online, subscribe to Passport, our interactive, content-rich membership service designed to give you a competitive knowledge advantage.