Top Quotes of 2012: Part 1

Athletics: “I’m now a legend. I’m also the greatest athlete to live.”

Jamaican sprinter and reigning Olympic Champion Usain Bolt, after retaining his 100 and 200 metre Olympic title as he promised. Bolt, in the lead up to London, had suggested that he would make this announcement if he does successfully defend his Olympic titles. So we clearly guess Usian is a virtuous man who holds onto his promises!

Basketball: “It’s about damn time.”

Miami Heat forward LeBron James, after winning that elusive NBA title which has haunted him for years. Since his controversial move from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat, James was questioned for his killer instinct and performance in clutch situations given the Mavericks just edged him and the Heat just a year ago. Quite rightly – Mr. James, it is about “damn time” you won that title too.

Boxing: “Manny Pacquiao I’m calling you out, let’s fight May 5th and give the world what they want to see… Step up punk.”

Floyd Mayweather, on his rather different invitation to Manny Pacquaio of Phillipines to a boxing bout. If Mayweather does talk this much trash outside the ring, imagine facing him. Well, Pacquaio knows it best.

Cricket: “Where else in the world do you get the chance to basically kill someone with two bouncers in an over? Legally.”

South African pace man Dale Steyn in praise of Test cricket. In an age where every young fan seems to prefer the shorter formats, Steyn’s quote came as a big sign of support.

Cycling: “Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling. He deserves to be forgotten in cycling.”

UCI chief Patrick Macquaid following revelations that Armstrong did use drugs for his Tour De France victories which he earlier denied for several years. Armstrong was not only a legend in cycling but for the entire sporting fraternity, given his courageous comebacks from Cancer to win 7 Tour De Frances. What a shame for the sport of cycling constantly haunted by doping!

Football: “Miracles do happen in Manchester. Only this time it’s on this side of the road.”

Roberto Mancini on his side’s last minute triumph in the Barclays Premier League in the 2011-12 season. Sergio Aguero’s stoppage time brace sealed it for City who won its first title in over 5 decades – boosted by million dollar investments from Abu Dhabi.

Golf: “I never got this far in my dreams.”

Bubba Watson, after winning the 2012 Augusta Masters in a nerve-wracking play-off with Louis Oosthuizen. Watson, claiming his first Major, shot up into the Top Ten for the first time in his career.

Tennis: “My rackets are named after Chelsea players. I used Torres today, maybe that’s where I went wrong.”

Josh Goodall, mockingly remarks on the mistake of racket selection after his first round exit at Wimbledon. Coincidentally, it was also the time when the Torres jokes was at its peaks as well.