The year that has just started will be the year when the Euro football championships are held and when London hosts the Olympic Games.
They are two events that sport enthusiasts are looking forward to, although there are of course several other competitions that will grab the attention worldwide.
But football is still the most popular sport, especially in Europe, and the Olympic Games are the biggest attraction as they attract participation in 26 sport disciplines from athletes coming from all corners of the world. And therefore it is to be expected that between June and August – when both events will be held on separate dates – the world’s attention will be first on Poland and the Ukraine, and then on England.
It is the first time that two Eastern European countries will be hosting the event, and it will also be the last one with 16 participating teams. When the next edition is held in 2016 in France, the competition will embrace 24 teams.
Poland and Ukraine have had to overcome serious problems to get themselves ready for the event and, with only five months separating us from the kick off, they are still to finalise their preparations. There was a time when UEFA was considering taking steps against the organisers for falling behind in their schedule, but things now seem to be on track.
Poland and Ukraine will not start as favourites to win the 14th edition of the Euro championships, but the home support will be a big boost for them.
The day after London won the battle to host the 2012 Olympics, the city had to face the biggest crisis of the decade following the terrorist attacks that ripped throughout the city. Security was always going to be an issue at the London Games, but after that tragedy it became even more.
It is hoped that a festival of sport will not be turned into an occasion for another attack against humanity. It is hoped that it will be an event that unites the world in one city, where athletes fight with their skills and talents, and where sport will once again triumph.
The last months that separate us from the event will be used by the London organisers to fine-tune their preparations. Transport was initially thought to create some difficulties, but London is used to millions of people commuting between one end and another in one day.