The 10 notable sporting moments of 2023

The world of sports never stops turning. The year 2023 will have offered us anthology moments, some delightful and others that we would rather forget. Here are the 10 highlights that marked the year.

10 – The PGA Tour and the LIV Golf series sign the armistice (June 6)

On a beautiful, balmy June morning, the two biggest rivals in the golfing world came to an understanding. For a year, some of the best golf players in the world have been deserting the PGA Tour circuit to enrich themselves with billions of dollars from the big Saudi bosses on the LIV Golf circuit. Golf has never been so divided. However, after a year of litigation and insults from both sides, the commissioner of the PGA, Jay Monahan, gave in. And the PGA, the LIV and the European Tour came together to create a new circuit. However, six months later, very little is still known. But this new union had the effect of a bomb in the world of golf.

9 – Unsurprisingly, Connor Bedard is the first choice (June 28)

You didn’t have to open your television too late to witness the official arrival of Connor Bedard in the National Hockey League (NHL). The young prodigy was selected, unsurprisingly, first overall in the NHL draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. Like Sidney Crosby in 2005 and Connor McDavid in 2015, Bedard’s selection was highly anticipated. And since then, he has not disappointed. The Blackhawks appear to have found their savior, and we may be on the cusp of a new winning era in Chicago. At the time of writing, the 18-year-old center was on track to have a rookie season of 43 goals and 73 points.

8 – LeBron James becomes the leading scorer in NBA history (February 8)

It was only a matter of time before it happened, as the greatest player of his generation has never stopped producing since arriving in the NBA 20 years ago. James has been in the league so long that when he first started, players had to dribble while in possession. With his 36^e point of the match against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he surpassed the record of 38,387 points established by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which had stood since 1984. The 38-year-old went there with a jump shot, a little in top of the free throw line, to make history.

7 – Tom Brady retires for good (1^er FEBRUARY)

The second take was finally the right one for Tom Brady. For the second time in his illustrious career, the greatest quarterback in history has bowed out. However, this time he kept his word. The end of his career marked the end of an era, and the reactions were numerous. Then, without knowing it, we were at the start of a series of waves of athletes announcing their retirement. On July 25, another New England hero, Patrice Bergeron, hung up his skates. A moment that Quebec hockey fans will not soon forget. On September 21, it was the turn of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Then, on October 20, the top scorer in soccer history, Christine Sinclair, hung up her cleats, literally, in a post on Instagram.

6 – Damar Hamlin collapses in the middle of a match (January 2)

The year 2023 got off to a bad start for the NFL. A long-awaited game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals turned into drama. After a harmless contact with receiver Tee Higgins, marauder Damar Hamlin collapsed to the ground, causing panic, incomprehension and excitement. The scene was terrible. We later learned that his heart had stopped beating and came extremely close to stopping there. At least, if there is anything good to come out of this, it is that the entire football community in the United States has rallied behind Hamlin and the Bills. Fans were generous with time, money and encouragement. Hamlin became an unwilling star and the face of hope throughout the NFL.

5 – The Canadians are world champions (November 12)

Almost a year to the day after the men’s victory at the Davis Cup, the Canadian women’s tennis team took top honors by triumphing at the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time in its history. For a time, Canada held the men’s and women’s world champion titles. Few people would have bet on the victory of Heidi El Tabakh’s team, but two players stood out. Leylah Fernandez established herself as the great leader of this team and young Marina Stakusic was amazing, at 18, on a big stage like this. And ultimately, Eugenie Bouchard became world champion, and just for that, the year 2023 will have been worth living.

4 – Laurence St-Germain becomes world champion (February 18)

The ski season ended in apotheosis for Laurence St-Germain. The athlete from Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges surprised everyone, herself first, by becoming world champion in slalom, in Méribel, France. She did so ahead of none other than the American Mikaela Shiffrin. St-Germain had never been on the podium since joining the national team and did so for the first time after an up-and-down season in the most prestigious competition in the world. season. This victory has become one of the great moments in Quebec sporting history. A month later, Shiffrin broke Ingemar Stenmark’s ultimate record by winning the 87^e victory of his career. A brand that is not about to be beaten. Shiffrin was already considered the greatest, but it became statistical official.

3 – Max Verstappen breaks (another) record (September 3)

Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen has established himself as the most dominant athlete on the planet in 2023. Several brands can attest to this, but the most significant must be the one established at the Italian Grand Prix, when he won a tenth consecutive victory. The record was nine, set by Sebastian Vettel in 2013. The 19^e Verstappen’s season victory at the last Grand Prix also represents a record. Only three times during the campaign did he not finish on the top step of the podium, winning 86.36% of races, another record. And he finished outside the podium only once. The domination of the 25-year-old driver is likely to continue for some time if the other teams do not find a way to follow the standards imposed by Red Bull.

2 – Lionel Messi joins Inter Miami (June 7)

The rumor had been circulating for some time, and it was true. After winning the Soccer World Cup, Lionel Messi had nothing left to prove to anyone. And he listened to himself. The Argentine legend had been tempted by the Americas for some time and he faltered: Messi crossed overseas to join Inter Miami. This transfer is certainly the biggest and most important in MLS history. Even though he was tempted by a return to Barcelona and a detour to Saudi Arabia, Messi headed to Florida, where he received a hero’s welcome.

1 – The Alouettes champions against all odds (November 19)

A first championship in 13 years, that stands out, right? And the Montreal Alouettes ensured that this conquest remains in the annals: a touchdown in the final seconds of the Gray Cup game, an unforgettable speech from Marc-Antoine Dequoy and a memorable parade despite the bad weather. Many will remember this championship as the one that should not take place. Without an owner, without a president, without a head coach and without a quarterback to start the season, the Alouettes beat the Toronto Argonauts and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in quick succession to win the top honors. This group developed something special by emphasizing the French language and Quebecois identity, and this is what made the supporters fully embark on the project of Jason Maas and Danny Maciocia. A week later, the Université de Montréal Carabins won the second Vanier Cup in their history. 2023 assessment: football is doing well in Quebec.