| Story summary: Everyone knows that regular exercise will keep you fit and may prevent disease. But sport also seems to benefit countries as well as individuals. |
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| Celebrating sport The Rugby World Cup, won on 22nd November by England, led to a feel-good mood even among people who didn't usually follow rugby. Millions of television viewers cheered as fly-half Jonny Wilkinson scored the winning points with a drop-goal in the final minutes of extra time. The following Saturday more than 750,000 people turned out to cheer England's players on their victory parade in an open top bus through the streets of central London. This was followed by tea with The Queen at Buckingham Palace and a reception at Downing Street hosted by the Prime Minister.
The players were awarded honours in the New Year Honours List. These honours are awarded on merit, for exceptional achievement or merit in a number of fields. The England Rugby team coach, Clive Woodward, was knighted - so he becomes 'Sir Clive'. All the members of the team received an award, in contrast to the last time an England team won a World Cup. That was back in 1966, when England beat West Germany to win the Football World Cup. Some members of that team had to wait 30 years for official recognition.
Just before this year's Honours List was published it was revealed that some people who had been offered an award had decided not to accept it. Among the titles that are awarded are MBE (Member of the British Empire), OBE (Order of the British Empire) and CBE (Commander of the British Empire). It is this reference to an empire which no longer exists that has annoyed them.
Other countries have found the benefits of sport can be widespread. Australia hosted the last Olympic Games in 2000 and was widely praised for their success. The 2004 Games will be held in Athens, which is using the occasion to improve transport and other facilities, and the 2008 Games will be held in Beijing, which plans to build new metro lines and carry out environmental improvements.
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| | Links relating to this story:
New Year Honours List
Questions and Answers on the Honours list
Rugby stars in New Year Honours list
Rugby World Cup hailed as best ever
Scottish Sport's Hall of Fame
London's bid for the 2012 Olympics
BBC Wales: Sport in Wales
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