Unlikely success, falls to the top or unexpected rebirths: the world of sport in 2016 had its share of surprises.
The sports news of 2016 also had the right to its twists and turns. Like the politicians facing the polls, Little Thumbs were able to make the predictions lie: the footballers of Leicester were crowned champions in England, the Icelandic selection thwarted the predictions at Euro 2016. Champions also surprised, like Nico Rosberg and Florent Manaudou, who left for other horizons.
• Nico Rosberg, retired world champion
On December 2, just five days after his coronation at the last Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg announced on his social media his retirement from sport at the age of 31. The son of Keke Rosberg, world champion in the discipline in 1982, explained that this title was "his one and only goal" and that he therefore preferred to go to the top.
• Chris Froome climbs Mont Ventoux on foot
This is the strong image of the Tour de France 2016. On July 14, the wearer of the yellow jersey and future winner of the event, Chris Froome, falls from his saddle in the ascent of Mont Ventoux after hitting a blocked motorcycle by the density of the crowd. The bike breaks in the fall. Fearing to lose the head of the classification, the Briton takes off in an improbable running race on the slopes of the giant of Provence.
• The record shattered by Thomas Coville
By wrapping up his round the world sailing solo and nonstop on December 25 in 49 days, 3 hours and 7 minutes, Thomas Coville achieved the feat of making this record one of the highlights of 2016. The Rennais, who had set off to attack Francis Joyon's time (57 days, 13 hours), would have been satisfied to arrive a few hours early, he finally crossed the symbolic 50 day mark.
• Iceland eliminates England
A small country of 320 people caused a stir across Europe in June. Iceland, for its first participation in a Euro, qualified in the round of 000, finishing at the top of its group ahead of Portugal, the future winner. The story was already good, but the rest is even better. In the final phase, the Nordic country eliminates the nation that invented football, England (2-1).
• The blues of Novak Djokovic
There are two times in the year 2016 of Novak Djokovic. From January to May, he crushes the tennis world and finally completes the Grand Slam in his career by winning with style at Roland-Garros. At 29, nothing seems to stop the Serb. However, once the excitement of success subsided, the former world No. 1 felt "mentally and emotionally exhausted".
• Florent Manaudou takes up handball
After a frustrating experience at the Rio Olympics where he left with two silver medals (relay 4 x 100 m and 50 m freestyle), swimmer Florent Manaudou chose to put his career on hold to find a sport he had practiced handball at the Aix-en-Provence club during his adolescence. _AF
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