Great Britain

Introduction

Sport in Great Britain is a real institution and probably it is much more felt that in our country.

In fact, all year, in particularly during the major sports period, you can find many fans which will shout, rejoice or cry, desperate for a win o for a defeat of their favourite team.

Here is not only about football, but also rugby, cricket, basketball, baseball, hockey or polo, and many others sports.

The sport atmosphere is really wonderful, so that many sportive organized their holiday only to assist to one or more of the major sports events in this country, for example you can't miss tennis matches at Wimbledon or cricket competition at Lord Ground or also football game at Wembley or in the famous Chelsea stadium or in many others Great Britain stadium.

Great Britain is also a land full of natural resources where many outdoor sports can be practice like cycling or trekking or horse riding, these activities are practiced in particular in Scotland or in Wales or wherever there are green spaces and breathtaking landscape.

Britain has always hosted important sporting events and this year Olympic Games will take place in London.

Cricket

The origins of cricket are unknown although it seems certain that a similar competition to the current cricket games were practiced in England's south-east in 1300, imported from that region by shepherds Flemish. In 1700, the game grew to become the national sport and is widespread throughout the British colonial empire. The first World Cup cricket was played in 1975, now this competition is played every 4 years.

The international organization which governs cricket plays is the International Cricket Council (ICC), fonded on 15th June 1909 by Great Britain, Australia and South Africa. From its cradle located in London in its origin, it is moved to United Arab Emirates in Dobai in August 2005.

The most important aspect of this game is the list of the Rules, in fact, usually, in others sports, rules aren't written but they are entrusted to the common sense of the players. These rules include, for example, the respect for the opponent, for the umpires (referees) and for the traditional values of the game, it is, for istance, forbidden to call to the umpire or to the opponents offensive ordisrespectful words (it is even forbidden to advance towards anumpire with aggressive step), and especially the absolute condemnation of any act of violence between players.

How to play cricket?

Cricket is played between two teams of 11 elements each. The field consists of a space in the grass, oval or rectangular, larger than a football field, but there are no precise instructions about what it should be long and wide. At the center of the field there is a lane about 20 meters long and 2 meters wide. At the two ends of the lane are placed three pegs forming a small door. The teams try to score as many points as possible and they are not eliminated when they are beaten, they have not to score points and get hitters out when opponents are throwing. Who makes more points wins. On the batting side there is the only role of the batter. The team at launch include:- The pitcher- The wicket-keeper (receiver)- Fielders (prepared by the captain on the field)

Destination Scotland

As everyone knows, Scotland is situated in the Northern part of Great Britain and its capital city is Edinburgh. Scotland wards some of the biggest unspoiled lands of Europe, this country is a natural heaven and it is also ideal for countless outdoor adventures.

If you desire a gentle stroll through Scotland's highlands or an electrifying walk on narrow ridges of rocky peaks, Scotland must be the best destination for you.

The best way to discover Scotland's amazing landscapes is by foot; despite the wind, the midges and the drizzles, here trekking is a real pleasure. Thanks to mild winters, trekking is practicable all year long and tourists can enjoy different tours, from those larger (over 5 miles) to moderate ones (under 5 miles).

Trekking will be the best chance to get in touch with the local community of hikers: you will befriend on the slopes of the hills, and at the end of all journeys you could have fun in a warm pub nestled in the heart of highlands tasting a good whiskey.

To hike surrounded by nature is one of the best experience ever, but, in Scotland, the "Munro Bagging", a new kind of outdoor activity, is increasing its popularity by Scottish and tourists.

But what is this "Munro Bagging"? This sport activity became popular at the end of XIX century, when sir Hugh Munro published a list of the mountains over 3000 feet high and these highest peaks, in his opinion were the only worthy of interest. Today, more and more hikers and tourists aim to reach the summits of all these 284 "Munro Mountains", a challenge who is, in slang, well-known as "Munro Baggins".

The best proposals for your outdoor adventures are different:

• You can cross the west Highland Way
• You can climb the Ben Neves
• You can visit the outer Hebrides using your own bikes
• You can descend using your mountain bike over the slopes of Laggan Wolftrax
• You can enjoy an excursion in kayak in the Shetland

Trekking Equipment

• impermeable clothing
• backup clothing
• compass and maps
• a torch
• first-aid kit

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

For long standing tradition, in Scotland there is the outdoor access code in open country, mountains and moorlands. In 2003 the Scottish parliament approved the access code to open country, this code established people's access rights and their responsibilities. This code were approved in order to respect the environment and others people's privacy.

Security tips:

Check the weather condition before starting your trip and inform someone about your daily stages. Plan the pace and the destination considering all components' capability. Don't be afraid to come back if the trek turns out too much exacting.

Wimbledon

The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and it is considered by many people the most important and prestigious.

 Every year it starts in late June and it lasts two weeks: this year it is from 25 June to 8 July.

 It was first played in the year 1887 and gets its name from "The All England Club", the place where it was first played, which is located in the suburbs on the southwestern outskirts of London, in a place called Wimbledon.

 It is one of the four major Grand Slam tennis tournaments (the other three are the U.S Open, Australian Open and French Open tennis tournaments).

Wimbledon Championship is the only Grand Slam event that is still being played on a traditional grass court, the game's original surface.

The greatest tennis players in the world will came on Wimbledon and They will compete for a total of about $22.1 million in prize money, but especially they will be competing for a place in tennis history.

Wimbledon traditions include a strict dress code for competitors, as the eating of strawberries and cream by the spectators, and Royal patronage. The tournament is also notable for the absence of sponsor around the courts.

There is also “Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum” where there is a multi-dimensional tour of the traditions, the triumphs, the emotions that have made Wimbledon the most wished title in tennis.

London Olympic Games 2012

This summer the city of London will accommodate the most important, beautiful and exciting sport event of all time: the Olympic Games, which are certainly the best event to attend for sport tourism’s lovers. It’s the third time that this event takes place in London (the first was in 1908 and the second in 1948), and this year it will happen exactly from July 27 to August 12. The Olympic Games will focuse the attention of all the world on the city, which is going to know an incredible increase of tourists, who want to attend this admirable sport event. More than 8 million tickets are sold, already in 2011, and athletes from all over the world will lodge in 33 structures of the Olympic and Paralympic Village, that is an enormous sport complex in which also numerous facilities for competitions are located, for example the Olympic stadium, the Acquatics Centre and the Velopark. All races will be televised live and, of course, a lot photographers and journalists will be present to document the expected event, where athletes of 26 different sports will fight for the gold medal. After Beijing 2008, now it’s time of London.

Summer Olympics: Sports and disciplines

• Athletics

• Badminton

• Football

• Canoe

   - in open water

   - slalom

• Rowing

• Cycling

   - road cycling

   - track cycling

   - mountain bike

   - BMX

• Riding

• Gymnastic - artistic gymnastic

   - rhythmic gymnastic

   - trampoline

• Field hockey

• Judo

• Fight

• Basketball

• Handball

• Volleyball 

   - volleyball

   - beach volley

• Pentathlon

• Boxing

• Fencing

• Weightlifting

• Acquatic sports 

   - swimming

   - synchronized swimming

   - water polo

   - diving

• Taekwondo

• Tennis

• Ping pong

• Rifle range

• Archery

• Triathlon
• Sailing