IT'S BEEN A BRIT SPECIAL

There's been many ups and downs... but it has been a thrilling year to look back on!

- JEREMY CROSS

WHERE would we be without sport?

In a year of war and destruction around the world, sport took us on a roller coaster ride to a much happier place.

A journey of endless highs, and some lows.

Because this is what sport does. It provides a welcome distraction from those things we don't want to see, but can't help witness elsewhere.

Some icons were lost, with the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, JPR Williams, Barry John, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Kevin Campbell.

But some were gained, and when it comes to the last 12 months, there is only one place to start.

Paris is known as the 'City of Love, and millions around the globe all embraced a sensation al summer Olympic Games in the French capital.

Celine Dion started proceedings and Tom Cruise finished them.

And somewhere in between, Team GB claimed 65 medals, including striking gold 14 times.

Three came in the rowing while there were also golds in rock climbing, equestrian, trap shooting, trampolining, sailing and cycling.

Few will forget the superhuman efforts of Alex Yee (triathlon) and Tom Pidcock (mountain biking) to cross their respective lines first.

But the golden moment belonged to Keely Hodgkinson, who blazed to glory in the 800m on an iconic night in the Stade de France, to live up to all expectations and fulfil her lifelong dream.