RELIVING 2017

BOLT’S LAST STAND

The end for Usain Bolt was unlike anything that the world had envisioned. Unbeaten over the past nine years in 100m and 200m, the Jamaican finished his last individual 100m race in third position, with two-time dope offender Justin Gatlin sprinting away with the crown. Worse was yet to come in his last race, the 4X100m relay, where he failed to even finish the race with a hamstring injury, limping off the track in pain and agony.

Despite being pregnant at the time, Serena Williams won the Australian Open and surpassed Steffi Graff's record of most Grand Slam titles won in the Open Era.

Brazilian superstar Neymar (R) shocked the world as he made the switch from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer for a world record fee of 222 million euros.

Pakistan winning the Champions Trophy was one of the most unexpected yet refreshing stories from the cricket world.

Australia captain Steven Smith (C) dominated the Test batting chart with five hundreds and a double hundred at an average of 76.76

India's Rohit Sharma (R) scored his third double century in ODIs and the joint-fastest hundred in T20Is.

Following a year dominated absolutely by Novak Djokovic, tennis's 'Big Two', Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were back to their best as they shared the four Grand Slams.

Real Madrid (Top) completed an incredible year by picking up a quintuple; winning La Liga, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup. In recognition of his dominant performances throughout those tournaments.

Cristiano Ronaldo was recognised as world football's best player for the second year running as he picked up a record-equalling fifth Ballon d'Or. Photo: Collected

ALL PHOTOS: REUTERS, AFP, COLLECTED