by Keith Staines

Created on: January 06, 2009

The common thing to name as the best sporting event of the year is the 2008 Summer Olympics hosted so wonderfully by China. There was a lot of trepidation going into these Olympics, with the human rights issues that always swirl around China, the huge concerns about what role all of the pollution would play, and would the venues and city be ready in time.

Nobody can argue against the fact that the Olympics were a huge success. The Opening Ceremonies were epic in style and size. Michael Phelps wowed the world with his dash to 8 gold medals. Usain Bolt captivated us with speed never before seen. A Georgian and Russian sharpshooter embraced in one of the very first events, right in the middle of the Russian invasion of Georgia. Four years of training ended in jubilation or heartbreak multiple times every single day for two weeks.

Personally, I watched the Olympics every day before work. Followed the event results on the internet during the day. Taped everything I could on DVR and started rushing home to watch Phelps swim or Bolt run.

But I don't think it's the best Sporting Event of 2008. And here's why.

I make one huge distinction when thinking about the best Sporting Event of the year, and I think it is a very important one. And it all boils down to one word.

Event.

As in singular, solitary, all by its lonesome, not clumped in together, standing alone.

And this is why the Summer Olympics doesn't pass the test. It was two weeks, technically with hundreds of "events". I wouldn't name an entire World Series as the best event, or a full NBA finals, or a March Madness tournament. People aren't going to get together and say "Hey, remember those awesome 2008 Olympics?". They're going to talk about Phelps swimming, Bolt running, the Redeem Team, or the Chinese women's gymnasts. One of these singular events would be more than valid as a Sporting Event of the year competitor.

One event, one night or day, one shot, that's all. You don't have to be the best in the world to be involved in the greatest event of the year. You could have the two worst NFL teams every seen play against each other, and have it wind up 64-59, with kickoff returns, interceptions, fumbles, onside kicks and trick plays, and it might be the greatest thing you've ever seen.

I think back a year to 2007 when LeBron James went off against the Detroit Pistons in the playoffs, scoring something like the last 25 points of the game for his team in a double-overtime victory. He willed his team to victory all by himself,

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