With the recent history of sport causing nostalgia in memories, there is an absence of our country’s pride. Too often the British Media build up the hopes of the public that this is the year, this is the final where after a hundred-thousand years a British sportsman will win. The infallible Roger Federer put it perfectly at his semi-final interview at the Australian Open expressing pressure on Andy Murray to “finally” win, increasing the burden on Murray’s shoulders. It is seldom not to be disappointed looking back at a sporting calendar, remembering that “nearly” moment where the British flag was held at half-mast.

In recent years, especially in the last two or three, there has been this “almost” feeling in British sportsmen excelling and being global superstars. The most recent in my memory is England winning the Rugby World Cup in 2003 and since then, the British people have not seen a victory until Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button won the F1 Grand Prix, and even then, everyone said “F1? Car Racing?”

The dismay continued at the Euro of 2008 and at the dominant reign in Tennis of Roger The Great, with Hatton hitting the floor more than once and losing the Rugby World Cup Final it all looks depressing in history. However, we had a slight spell when England lifted The Ashes and Amir Khan salvaging some pride for the tabloids.

Now, each sporting sector has a British prospect that could be the champion that discovers this true passion and patriotism in British sport. In tennis, Andy Murray has a Grand Slam at the tips of fingers and Football sees Fabio Capello having the best run of English manager for decades since, with huge expectations brought to this years Football World Cup. We have the the two British Grand Prix Champions teaming up at the best F1 team – Mclaren and David Haye recently winning the Heavy Weight Championship putting British Boxing back in the papers since Hatton’s fall.

So prospects are high, this patriotism is building up and will peak at the 2012 Olympics despite the initial complaints at soaring costs complimenting our recession. So when you are in front of the TV this year for whatever your sport of choice may be, it could be our year, it could be that moment where we finally witness a British victory.

Share on Facebook