BATON RELAY
The Commonwealth Games follows in the footsteps of the huge popular success of the London 2012 torch relay, as its own Queen’s baton relay returns to the UK to begin the final stage of its journey to Glasgow. The baton relay, modelled on the torch relay, was first used for the 1958 Games in Cardiff, and left Buckingham Palace on 9 October last year. It has since travelled through 70 nations and contains a message to the Commonwealth that the Queen will read at the opening ceremony. The relay is in Wales now, heads to England on, and reaches Scotland on 14 June. For details visit: glasgow2014.com
BATTLE AT THE BRICKYARD
The biggest race in US motor sport roars into life again as the Indy 500 goes green on Sunday (BT Sport, from 4.30pm). One of the sport’s great events, and – more often than not – far more exciting than the Monaco Grand Prix that precedes it. Watch out for the Penske team-mates Helio Castroneves (bidding for his fourth Indy win) and Will Power (still looking for his first), while – from a British perspective – the rookie Jack Hawksworth qualified in an excellent 13th spot, in a 33-car field, one ahead of his countryman Justin Wilson.
WORLD CUP RERUNS
An intriguing offering from the BBC as it shows classic encounters on its website as though they were live. The selection of World Cup matches begins on Friday, with the 1966 final at noon. Rather than being just a rerun, the games will be given the full, modern “live” package, including video, text commentary, and contributions from guests such as Gary Lineker.
READING LIST
Frank Keating – whose final column appeared on this page in December 2012 before his death, the following month, aged 75 – was cherished for the wit and wordplay of his writing, for the joy of sport that shone from the page, and for his ability to strike with unerring accuracy at the foibles and farce of his subject. He is well served by The Highlights, an excellent collection of his writing from newspapers, magazines and books. Fans will find this a well-chosen selection, while – for new readers – it is a chance to luxuriate in an extraordinarily talented writer.
Former Observer Sport editor Brian Oliver also weighs in with the fascinating The Commonwealth Games: Extraordinary Stories behind the Medals. And what stories they are. The runner who changed his name to a vodka brand; the first black African to win a medal in any sport, anywhere, and who went on to become involved in a coup; and the almost unbelievable story of the weightlifter Precious McKenzie, who escaped abuse and apartheid to win four straight golds. It brings the unique nature of the Games to life, with a vivid, touching and personal clarity that goes beyond mere medals, records and times.
Finally, in Break Point: The Inside Story of Modern Tennis, Observer correspondent Kevin Mitchell looks at how all the five-hour matches, 50-shot rallies and run-till-you-drop tennis – which has had the men’s game in its two-fisted grip over the past decade or so – is beginning to take its toll. In doing so, he considers how the game is changing for the current central proponents – Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray – and the new contenders snapping at their heels.
