Britain's Favourite Inspirational Sports Images
Sometimes inspiration strikes us like a lightning bolt straight from the heavens. Sometimes it doesn’t. Inspiration is a bit like a badger, mostly in the way that you don’t see either of them very often and it’s a very giddy moment when you do. But also, if you sit at home waiting all day, you will chance upon neither a badger nor inspiration. Sometimes you must take matters into your own hands: like gazing upon inspirational sports images!
Lothar Spurzem (CC BY-SA 2.0 de) via Wikimedia Commons
‘The Flying Scott’ Jackie Stewart is truly deserving of being labelled a sporting legend. Here we have the man himself, pictured here driving his driving his gorgeous Tyrell Ford Cosworth during the 1973 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, back when racing cars looked like submarines on wheels and every single human had a moustache. Stewart won 27 races over his career, including 3 world championship titles. If you need a kick, a little extra kerosene on your bonfire, a pinch more special sauce in the Big Mac of your soul, look no further than Jackie Stewart’s laser-focussed stare across the tarmac.
Ogagi Takes One for the Team
You may think that a photograph of a young Japanese rugby player being punched in the mouth would not make for an inspiring image, but you would be mistaken. In a snapshot from a ‘friendly’ played between Cambridge and Doshiba Universities in 1989, Atsushi Ogagi was, for lack of a better word, lamped in the head. If you have still yet to find that flash of inspiration in this particular sports image, look closer. Does he look even mildly fazed that his face is being mashed into with a big fist as he soars through the air? No, he does not. He might even be smiling, although the meaty knuckles obscuring half his visage make it difficult to know for certain. That fist is life, and Atsushi Ogagi is you. Are you going to let life punch your head in? Of course you’re not. Keep leaping!
Bannister Runs a 4 Minute Mile
With a time of 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds (kudos to the guy pressing the stop watch – no laser tech in those days), Roger Bannister smashed the four-minute mile in 1954. And you can all that toil and endless hours sprinting down overcast beaches blasting the Chariots of Fire through his iPod was totally worth it when Roger was able to gaze upon this cool pic of himself at the end. The agony and gratitude in Bannister’s expression, the looks of joy and disbelief on the faces of the crowd, the chic hats and overcoats; feast your eyes upon this wonderful sporting image and feel the inspiration course through your veins.
Tiger Woods (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Keith Allison
Tiger Comes Back
And here we have a chipper Tiger Woods celebrating making par on the 18th green, thus winning the coveted TOUR Championship on the 23rd of September 2018. He’s been through the mill has old Tiger, but his recent comeback – both in his golf and his public image - serves as a reminder that there’s always a chance to turn everything around and go for gold once again.
Brothers in Arms
Apparently, pictures speak a thousand words. If this photograph spoke, what would it say? It would say “sportsmanship”. It would say “brotherhood.” It would say “knackered”. It would say “go on lads.” The Brownlee brothers crossing the finish line, a suffering Jonathon being helped down the last stretch by his brother Alistar, is one of modern sport’s most enduring and iconic images. Alistar forfeited his chance of winning the Gold at the Men Elite ITU World Championship race in 2016, but it makes no difference: the result of the race will be forgotten in time, but this image of brotherly camaraderie will endure. An inspirational remind of the fact that victory can come in many forms.
Muhammad Ali vs. Ernie Terrell (CC BY 2.0) by Cliff
Ali Becomes the Greatest
Alright, you knew this one was going to make an appearance at some point. Of course, it’s not exactly a rarity – you’ve doubtless seen this monochrome snap of a gurning Ali towering over a thoroughly pummelled Liston in every barbershop, bar and gym you’ve ever been to – but there’s a reason for its ubiquity. It’s a damn fine photograph, capturing the all the ferocity and athleticism of Ali in his prime. Answer honestly now: who hasn’t gawped at this photograph and, however briefly, contemplated setting out on an optimistic foray into professional boxing? Of course, in all likelihood the average member of the public would be taking the role of Liston rather than Ali in this photograph should they decide to duck into the ring on a whim, but still. What a photo.
