Infinite Zounds

2012IZIZa selection of questions from 2012

J. Ramanand

Sports

Introduction

Infinite Zounds started in October 2010 as a-question-a-day blog about current events. It’s now into its third year and over a thousand questions rich.

This ebook features a selection of 25 Sports questions published on the blog in 2012.

August 2013,J. Ramanand

Copyright

Infinite Zounds : IZ 121 by J Ramanand is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Author's NoteIn essence, this license allows you to reuse the contents of this book only in non-commercial settings, expects you to provide credits to me if you use or derive from these questions, and allows you to redistribute your derivations under the same terms.

So if you want to use these questions, go ahead. The only request is that you provide adequate credit to this author wherever and whenever you use these questions in the form you found them here.

Each year, the Ascot Racecourse hosts one of the premier sporting-cultural events of the British calendar, where people go not only to watch and bet on the racing, but also to be seen.

2012's event was marred by some controversy. As seen in an example here, many visitors had an orange sticker pasted on to their dresses. Some of them complained at being treated in this way, despite shelling out hefty amounts to get in.

What was the kerfuffle about?

SPORTS

Base Image: The Telegraph

Each year, the Ascot Racecourse hosts one of the premier sporting-cultural events of the British calendar, where people go not only to watch and bet on the racing, but also to be seen.

2012's event was marred by some controversy. As seen in an example here, many visitors had an orange sticker pasted on to their dresses. Some of them complained at being treated in this way, despite shelling out hefty amounts to get in.

What was the kerfuffle about?

SPORTS

Base Image: The Telegraph

Plagued by years of increasingly weird clothing & headgear, the authorities decided to enforce a new dress code. Anyone who didn't adhere was marked with this sticker; the organisers thought it was a

polite way to make their point.

A satirical French TV show called "Les Guignols" (literally, "The Puppets") caused a lot of anger in Spain in Feb 2012, after airing an episode showing a Rafael Nadal puppet using his urine as fuel for his car (and getting pulled over for speeding). It also made insinuations about other Spanish sportsmen.

This episode was aired soon after a 2012 doping event involving a Spanish sportsman. Who?

SPORTS

Image: Sydney Morning Herald

A satirical French TV show called "Les Guignols" (literally, "The Puppets") caused a lot of anger in Spain in Feb 2012, after airing an episode showing a Rafael Nadal puppet using his urine as fuel for his car (and getting pulled over for speeding). It also made insinuations about other Spanish sportsmen.

This episode was aired soon after a 2012 doping event involving a Spanish sportsman. Who?

SPORTS

Image: Sydney Morning Herald

Cyclist Alberto Contador, who was banned for a doping offence and stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title.

This is Trenton Oldfield, LSE graduate and self-proclaimed "scourge of the elites" and he's being led away after he tried to disrupt the 158th edition of an annual sporting event. This cherished British event was restarted, only to wade through more controversy, during and after its conclusion.

Oldfield was lucky to make it out alive, and seemed to be unfazed by it all. Which event had he so gatecrashed?

SPORTS

Image: @mrdiscopop/Twitter/The

Daily Mail

This is Trenton Oldfield, LSE graduate and self-proclaimed "scourge of the elites" and he's being led away after he tried to disrupt the 158th edition of an annual sporting event. This cherished British event was restarted, only to wade through more controversy, during and after its conclusion.

Oldfield was lucky to make it out alive, and seemed to be unfazed by it all. Which event had he so gatecrashed?

SPORTS

Image: @mrdiscopop/Twitter/The

Daily Mail

The annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge. The race was restarted; soon, one of the Oxford rowers to broke an oar allowing

Cambridge to take the race easily. Then another Oxford rower collapsed out of exhaustion.

N.K.P Salve, politician, cricket administrator, BCCI President during the Indian cricket team's 1983 World Cup win, passed away in April 2012.

Which domestic cricket tournament, begun in 1998, is named after him?

SPORTS

N.K.P Salve, politician, cricket administrator, BCCI President during the Indian cricket team's 1983 World Cup win, passed away in April 2012.

Which domestic cricket tournament, begun in 1998, is named after him?

The Challenger Trophy one-day series that is often a platform for cricketers to break into the one-day squad.

SPORTS

"Vytynanky" or "Wycinanki" is a cultural practice in this European region, involving the cutting of paper into various shapes, from nature, culture, and religion. This logo for an event evokes the practice, in the shape of 3 flowers.

The colours represent two countries. For which event was this logo created?

SPORTS

Image: Wikipedia

"Vytynanky" or "Wycinanki" is a cultural practice in this European region, involving the cutting of paper into various shapes, from nature, culture, and religion. This logo for an event evokes the practice, in the shape of 3 flowers.

The colours represent two countries. For which event was this logo created?

UEFA's Euro 2012 football tournament, held in Ukraine and Poland in June-July 2012. The colours are from their respective flags.

SPORTS

Image: Wikipedia

Philip Humber is a pitcher with the Chicago White Sox, a Major League Baseball team. In April 2012, in a match against the Seattle Mariners, he achieved a feat that has only been done twenty times before in the 100+ year history of top-flight American baseball.

The feat is defined as: "a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base". What is this termed as?

SPORTS

Philip Humber is a pitcher with the Chicago White Sox, a Major League Baseball team. In April 2012, in a match against the Seattle Mariners, he achieved a feat that has only been done twenty times before in the 100+ year history of top-flight American baseball.

The feat is defined as: "a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base". What is this termed as?

SPORTS

A "perfect game".

In 2012, to his surprise, this English footballer found his likeness on the backs of cigarette packs in India, as part of a new set of mandatory warnings against smoking (it showed a man with blackened lungs).After his lawyers threatened to sue, the Indian health ministry withdrew the image, though they insisted "the picture could be of any man".

Who?

SPORTS

In 2012, to his surprise, this English footballer found his likeness on the backs of cigarette packs in India, as part of a new set of mandatory warnings against smoking (it showed a man with blackened lungs).After his lawyers threatened to sue, the Indian health ministry withdrew the image, though they insisted "the picture could be of any man".

Who?

John Terry, captain of the Chelsea football team, and former national team captain.

SPORTS

Two sports saw similar controversies in 2012, both caused by near-identical innovations. These innovations share a primary objective, that of making the sports better viewed on television. One of these sports even changed the colourof its ball to a colour close to what is used in the other sport.

Both changes have had players and coaches cry foul. Which sports, and what's the change?

SPORTS

Two sports saw similar controversies in 2012, both caused by near-identical innovations. These innovations share a primary objective, that of making the sports better viewed on television. One of these sports even changed the colourof its ball to a colour close to what is used in the other sport.

Both changes have had players and coaches cry foul. Which sports, and what's the change?

SPORTS

The sports are hockey and tennis, and the innovation was playing on a blue surface. The hockey events at the London Olympics were played on a blue surface (with a yellow ball). In tennis, the 2012 Madrid Masters event was held on blue clay. In each, players found it very difficult to adjust. Tennis players like Rafael Nadal were angry enough to say they wouldn't come back the next year if the surface didn't revert to traditional orange clay.

In 2012, Vaibhav Suri became the latest to join this grand list. That made him the 27th Indian on this list. He is also one of India's youngest, making it at the age of 15. The first Indian on this list (who also held the record for being the youngest Indian on the list for a long time) was in the news during May 2012, and his story had a favourable endgame.

What list is this?

SPORTS

In 2012, Vaibhav Suri became the latest to join this grand list. That made him the 27th Indian on this list. He is also one of India's youngest, making it at the age of 15. The first Indian on this list (who also held the record for being the youngest Indian on the list for a long time) was in the news during May 2012, and his story had a favourable endgame.

What list is this?

Chess Grandmasters. Suri achieved his final GM norm in April 2012. Also, V. Anand won the World Chess Championship in May 2012.

SPORTS

The British tabloid The Daily Mail began raising hell over "Plastic Brits" in late 2011. Their sustained campaign over the last year tattooed the phrase into British popular culture. Almost everyone involved with the London 2012 Olympics had an opinion about these "Plastic Brits" and the spotlight on such people during the Olympics was intense.

What kind of people does the Mail term a Plastic Brit?

SPORTS

The British tabloid The Daily Mail began raising hell over "Plastic Brits" in late 2011. Their sustained campaign over the last year tattooed the phrase into British popular culture. Almost everyone involved with the London 2012 Olympics had an opinion about these "Plastic Brits" and the spotlight on such people during the Olympics was intense.

What kind of people does the Mail term a Plastic Brit?

SPORTS

Someone who was born outside Britain but has (in their view) opportunistically become a British citizen to enter the Olympics. Team officials were even reported to have ensured that such players could actually sing the national anthem should the occasion arise.

Before 9th June, 2012, only Rustico Torrecampo (Phillipines), MedgoenSingsurat (Thailand), and Érik Morales (Mexico) could legitimately claim to have done it. They were then joined by Timothy Bradley (USA), though in the eyes of many experts, the word "legitimately" may not be applicable.

What is this all about?

SPORTS

Before 9th June, 2012, only Rustico Torrecampo (Phillipines), MedgoenSingsurat (Thailand), and Érik Morales (Mexico) could legitimately claim to have done it. They were then joined by Timothy Bradley (USA), though in the eyes of many experts, the word "legitimately" may not be applicable.

What is this all about?

Manny Pacquiao, the legend-in-his-own-lifetime boxer from the Phillipines has lost to these boxers in his professional career. The 2012 loss to Bradley brought to an end, an unbeaten streak of over 7 years. This fight's conclusion was very controversial, with Pacquiao landing more punches.

SPORTS

An integral part of the Wimbledon tennis tournament for the last many years, Rufus went missing for a few days during the two weeks of the 2012 tournament. He was in a car when he was kidnapped (which may not be, technically, the best term to describe his misfortune).

Rufus was found a few days later and was able to resume duties at Wimbledon once again. He usually goes to work in the mornings before and evenings after play.

Who is he and what does he do?

SPORTS

An integral part of the Wimbledon tennis tournament for the last many years, Rufus went missing for a few days during the two weeks of the 2012 tournament. He was in a car when he was kidnapped (which may not be, technically, the best term to describe his misfortune).

Rufus was found a few days later and was able to resume duties at Wimbledon once again. He usually goes to work in the mornings before and evenings after play.

Who is he and what does he do?

Rufus is a hawk used to scare away pigeons from the courts and preventing additional, unplanned white markings on the hallowed grasscourts.

SPORTS

Given the history and drama that athletes like Spyridon Louis, Dorando Pietri, Abebe Bikila, the Marathon is one of the show-piece events of any Olympics, and the London Games was no different. As is traditional, the Men's Marathon was one of the last medal events on the closing day.

But what other tradition will the 2012 Marathon not follow?

SPORTS

Given the history and drama that athletes like Spyridon Louis, Dorando Pietri, Abebe Bikila, the Marathon is one of the show-piece events of any Olympics, and the London Games was no different. As is traditional, the Men's Marathon was one of the last medal events on the closing day.

But what other tradition will the 2012 Marathon not follow?

The Marathon usually terminates in the main Olympic stadium, but in the 2012 Olympics, it began and ended at the London landmark of The Mall. This was apparently been done for logistical reasons.

SPORTS

The obverse (front) side of the medals for the 2012 Summer Olympics had a representation of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. On the reverse side was the logo of the London 2012 Games, a set of lines that symbolises "the energy of athletes and a sense of pulling together", and the River Thames.

All these medals had purple ribbons. This was to commemorate another 2012 event. Which event?

SPORTS

The obverse (front) side of the medals for the 2012 Summer Olympics had a representation of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. On the reverse side was the logo of the London 2012 Games, a set of lines that symbolises "the energy of athletes and a sense of pulling together", and the River Thames.

All these medals had purple ribbons. This was to commemorate another 2012 event. Which event?

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The colour is officially the Royal Purple.

SPORTS

The participation of Philipine van Aanholt, Liemarvin Bonevacia, and Reginald de Windt (all from Curacao), Fawaz Al Shammari, Md. Al-Azemi, and Ali Md. Al-Zinkawi (all Kuwait) and Guor Marial (South Sudan) in the 2012 Olympics was quite unusual. In doing so, they joined the squad of Olympians from the former Yugoslavian countries in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and two sportsmen from East Timor in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.What was unusual about their participation?

SPORTS

The participation of Philipine van Aanholt, Liemarvin Bonevacia, and Reginald de Windt (all from Curacao), Fawaz Al Shammari, Md. Al-Azemi, and Ali Md. Al-Zinkawi (all Kuwait) and Guor Marial (South Sudan) in the 2012 Olympics was quite unusual. In doing so, they joined the squad of Olympians from the former Yugoslavian countries in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and two sportsmen from East Timor in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.What was unusual about their participation?

SPORTS

They competed as Independent Olympic Athletes because, they had no parent Olympic Association. South Sudan, having just becomeindependent, didn’t have one yet, Kuwait's was suspended while the dissolution of the Netherland Antilles union in 2011 saw Curacao have no association of its own.

Ernst Happel (of Austria): Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany

Giovanni Trapattoni (of Italy): Italy, Germany, Portugal, Austria

Jose Mourinho (of Portugal): Portugal, England, Italy, Spain

Connect these special people, the last’s achievement coming in 2012.

SPORTS

Ernst Happel (of Austria): Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany

Giovanni Trapattoni (of Italy): Italy, Germany, Portugal, Austria

Jose Mourinho (of Portugal): Portugal, England, Italy, Spain

Connect these special people, the last’s achievement coming in 2012.

These are the only three club managers to have won league titles in four different countries. Jose Mourinho joined this exclusive club, with his Real Madrid side winning the league in the 2011-12 season.

SPORTS

England lost the 3rd and final Test match against South Africa in August 2012, ending its reign as World Test cricket champion. Two run-outs were decisive in the England 4th innings, leading to its narrow loss. One run-out involved Jonathan Trott and James Taylor, described by Cricinfo as follows:

When Trott clipped Steyn wide of mid-on, and Amla chased towards long-on, the lack of running urgency suggested that both batsmen had settled for a dawdling three. In fact, were it not for an outfield slowed by repairs after the _____ _____, it would have been four. The final arrow was about to plunge deep into England's ambitions that they might square the series.

Steyn, the bowler, was so convinced all meaningful action was complete that he collected his sun hat from the umpire before the call of "over." But Trott turned in invitation of a fourth. Taylor, who was running to the danger end, accepted with alacrity only for Trott to turn his back and leave Taylor stranded as Steyntransferred to the wicketkeeper.

Why had there been repairs on the field?

SPORTS

England lost the 3rd and final Test match against South Africa in August 2012, ending its reign as World Test cricket champion. Two run-outs were decisive in the England 4th innings, leading to its narrow loss. One run-out involved Jonathan Trott and James Taylor, described by Cricinfo as follows:

When Trott clipped Steyn wide of mid-on, and Amla chased towards long-on, the lack of running urgency suggested that both batsmen had settled for a dawdling three. In fact, were it not for an outfield slowed by repairs after the _____ _____, it would have been four. The final arrow was about to plunge deep into England's ambitions that they might square the series.

Steyn, the bowler, was so convinced all meaningful action was complete that he collected his sun hat from the umpire before the call of "over." But Trott turned in invitation of a fourth. Taylor, who was running to the danger end, accepted with alacrity only for Trott to turn his back and leave Taylor stranded as Steyntransferred to the wicketkeeper.

Why had there been repairs on the field?

SPORTS

This match was played at Lord's, where, during the 2012 Olympics, the Olympic archery events had been held. This had left the outfield needing some rejuvenation. The blank words in the article are "Olympic archery".

This pose was invented by the sports presenter Clare Balding during the sports-themed game show "A League of their Own" so that one of her fellow panelists could use it at the Olympics. It came about after an impromptu suggestion from the show's anchor James Corden, who also gave the pose its name.Inspired by the one of the moves in the dance to the "Y.M.C.A" song, what pose is this?

SPORTS

This pose was invented by the sports presenter Clare Balding during the sports-themed game show "A League of their Own" so that one of her fellow panelists could use it at the Olympics. It came about after an impromptu suggestion from the show's anchor James Corden, who also gave the pose its name.Inspired by the one of the moves in the dance to the "Y.M.C.A" song, what pose is this?

SPORTS

The "Mobot", the celebratory pose used by British athlete Mo Farah who won the 5000m & 10000m double at the 2012 London Olympics.

Image: The Rambling Man and Kim Ratcliffe of Think Equestrian/Wikimedia Commons

Given the number of marathon matches in men's tennis in recent times, the ATP announced some changes to tennis rules in 2012. One of them was to be trialed in the first quarter of 2013 on the Challenger Tour. This change is unlikely to speed up matches dramatically, but should improve the rhythm of service games.

Some critics wondered whether this will add an additional factor of luck to the outcome of points, but others felt it will all even out. What tiny yet significant change is this?

SPORTS

Given the number of marathon matches in men's tennis in recent times, the ATP announced some changes to tennis rules in 2012. One of them was to be trialed in the first quarter of 2013 on the Challenger Tour. This change is unlikely to speed up matches dramatically, but should improve the rhythm of service games.

Some critics wondered whether this will add an additional factor of luck to the outcome of points, but others felt it will all even out. What tiny yet significant change is this?

SPORTS

Doing away with service lets. When a serve hits the net and falls into the service box, a 'let' is called, and the serve re-taken. The change is to continue playing without calling a let and not interrupting the service point.

Given his record of seventy four Tests and a hundred and seventy four one day internationals, he will never win the "Silver Bails" or "Golden Bails“ because he retired in 2012. Well, unless he changes his mind, like Shahid Afridi does every year.

(He has won the "Bronze Bails", however.)

Who?

SPORTS

Given his record of seventy four Tests and a hundred and seventy four one day internationals, he will never win the "Silver Bails" or "Golden Bails“ because he retired in 2012. Well, unless he changes his mind, like Shahid Afridi does every year.

(He has won the "Bronze Bails", however.)

Who?

SPORTS

Simon Taufel. The Aussie umpire, who was ICC "Umpire of the Year" a record five times, gave up active international umpiring to take up a role with the ICC.

The Golden, Silver, and Bronze Bails are awarded to umpires who officiate in 100 Tests, 200 ODIs, and 100 ODIs respectively.

These were the three candidates in a 2012 contest:

* Bossa Nova: a distinctive style of Brazilian music; influenced by both jazz and samba music; known for distinctive rhythms.

* Carnavalesca: an adjective meaning "of or related to the carnival"

* Brazuca: an informal term for a Brazilian; can be used to denote 'national pride in the Brazilian way of life'.

Brazuca won, by the way. What was this for?

SPORTS

These were the three candidates in a 2012 contest:

* Bossa Nova: a distinctive style of Brazilian music; influenced by both jazz and samba music; known for distinctive rhythms.

* Carnavalesca: an adjective meaning "of or related to the carnival"

* Brazuca: an informal term for a Brazilian; can be used to denote 'national pride in the Brazilian way of life'.

Brazuca won, by the way. What was this for?

SPORTS

These were the three choices in a poll by FIFA and Adidas (official ball makers for the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil) to name the ball for the 2014 World Cup. "Brazuca" was the winner.

SPORTS

Image: AP/The Hindu

SPORTS

Image: AP/The Hindu

This is Girisha Nagarajegowda, who won India a silver medal at the 2012 Paralympics held in London.

SPORTS

The ones from Delhi are surfers, the UP fellows use wands, the Punjab fellows are fighters, the chaps from Mumbai are into conjuring, and the Ranchi boys are just one-nosed and thick-skinned.

What is all this?

SPORTS

Teams in the 2012 Hockey India League: Delhi Wave Riders, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Punjab Warriors, Mumbai Magicians, and RanchiRhinos.

The ones from Delhi are surfers, the UP fellows use wands, the Punjab fellows are fighters, the chaps from Mumbai are into conjuring, and the Ranchi boys are just one-nosed and thick-skinned.

What is all this?

SPORTS

2012 was a great year for British sport, with their sportsmen and women winning several medals at the London Olympics, with Andy Murray finally winning a Grand Slam, and several other such feats.

Which is why 2012’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award was keenly looked forward to.

Who won the title, for his feats in and outside of the Olympics?

SPORTS

Bradley Wiggins, who won the Tour de France and a few weeks later, a gold at the Olympics.

2012 was a great year for British sport, with their sportsmen and women winning several medals at the London Olympics, with Andy Murray finally winning a Grand Slam, and several other such feats.

Which is why 2012’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award was keenly looked forward to.

Who won the title, for his feats in and outside of the Olympics?

SPORTS

An easy one to round the year off: what began on Dec 18, 1989, at Gujranwala, and ended on Mar 18, 2012, at Dhaka?

SPORTS

Sachin Tendulkar's astonishing one day international career.

An easy one to round the year off: what began on Dec 18, 1989, at Gujranwala, and ended on Mar 18, 2012, at Dhaka?