As 2014 draws to a close, we take a second look at some of the year's best sports photos. From Li Na to LeBron James, Luis Suarez to Rafael Nad-al, there was no shortage of photogenic super-stars and no limit to pulse-pounding action that included the seven-game NBA Finals, the World Cup in Brazil and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Truly a year of global sports glory!
China's Li Na wipes away tears after announcing her retirement from competitive tennis at a Sept 21 media conference in Beijing. Li was ranked No 2 in the world after winning the Australian Open in January, but knee injuries forced her to quit. |
Kenya's Denis Okoth lands a punch on England's Samuel Maxwell in their junior welterweight fight at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland on July 27. |
Canada's Patricia Bezzoubenko performs her ribbon routine during the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 25. Bezzoubenko won the indivdual allaround gold medal and led Canada to gold in the team event. Photos by Reuters and AFP |
Fago, ridden by Barry Fehilly, falls at the ditch during Britain's Grand National horse race at Aintree, England on April 4. |
Germany's Nelli Zhiganshina and Alexander Gazsi compete in the ice dance short program at the ISU world figure skating championships in Saitama, Japan on March 28. |
San Antonio Spurs fans taunt Miami Heat superstar LeBron James during Game 2 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio, Texas on June 8. James was named MVP of the Finals, but the Spurs won the title in seven games. |
Uruguay's Luis Suarez (left) reacts after biting the shoulder of Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during their World Cup match in Natal, Brazil on June 23. |
Spain's Rafael Nadal cries at the trophy ceremony after defeating Serbia's Novak Djokovic in the French Open final in Paris on June 8. |
Caterham-Renault driver Kamui Kobayashi of Japan veers off the track to open the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16. |
(China Daily 12/26/2014 page24)