Sports trivia is where memory meets mythology. These fourteen cover the moments and oddities that outlived the box scores.
Why is a marathon 26.2 miles instead of a round 26?
The 1908 London Olympics stretched the course so it could start at Windsor Castle and finish in front of the royal box.
Who is the only gymnast to score a perfect 10 at the Olympics — and when?
Nadia Comăneci, Montreal 1976, at age 14. The scoreboard displayed 1.00 because it couldn't show 10.
Which country has won the most FIFA World Cups?
Brazil, with five.
What is the only team to complete a perfect NFL season including the Super Bowl?
The 1972 Miami Dolphins.
Who holds the record for most Olympic gold medals?
Michael Phelps — 23 golds, 28 medals overall.
In golf, what is one stroke under par on a hole called?
A birdie. Two under is an eagle; three under, an albatross.
Which boxer was known as 'The Greatest' and 'The Louisville Lip'?
Muhammad Ali.
How long is a cricket pitch?
22 yards — one chain, an old surveying unit.
What sport awards the Stanley Cup?
Ice hockey — the NHL's championship trophy, first awarded in 1893.
Who broke baseball's color barrier in 1947?
Jackie Robinson, with the Brooklyn Dodgers. His number 42 is retired league-wide.
Which tennis tournament is played on grass courts?
Wimbledon — the oldest tennis tournament in the world.
What are the five colors of the Olympic rings?
Blue, yellow, black, green, and red — chosen so every national flag contains at least one.
In basketball, how many points is a shot from beyond the arc worth?
Three.
Which race is called 'The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports'?
The Kentucky Derby.
The marathon story is the keeper: 26.2 miles of every runner's suffering, courtesy of a royal seating preference in 1908.
