Tragedy and triumph in equal measure kicked off 2011 as the nation's sporting bodies dug deep after 70 towns and more than 200,000 people were affected by the Queensland Floods.  Read more

There's a statue of a fighter at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. One who used to train up and down the steps of the famous landmark, who worked at a slaughterhouse, substituting a carcass for a heavy bag. It's a fictional character. His real life equivalent shamefully ignored by the city.  Read more

Someone once told me a compromise is an agreement between two losers. Ironically, this particular individual was recently sacked by his A-League club after failing to reach one.   Read more

In politics, sport or any other human endeavour, a person's character is measured not by how they deal with victory, but defeat. The arrival of Roger Federer reminded me of all that is good about the game.   Read more

From the time 100 metres defending champion, Usain Bolt infamously false started in the final, you knew these worlds were going to be remembered for more than just sprinting.   Read more