Manchester

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Manchester: World Sport 08

World Sport 08 makes 2008 an exhausting year for armchair sports enthusiasts

Manchester has got a bit of a thing for sport. Its ‘best ever’ hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2002 transformed the city, from construction of the then brand-new Sportcity to shifting the persistent notion that Manchester was only good for dark satanic mills and gloomy pop. The Games made the world sit up and take notice of Manchester again and, six years on, little has changed – Manchester is still sports mad, with 2008 shaping up to be the best year for international live sport since those halcyon days. This year alone, the city hosts six sporting championships leading the council to label it ‘World Sport 08’.

UCI World Track Cycling Championships
The fun kicks off in March with this event at the Velodrome (home to the British National Cycling team). It’s likely to be a highly charged championship as Britain defends the seven world titles it swiped in 2007. The championships include some of the world’s best cyclists, from Tour de France riders Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins to treble gold medal winner Victoria Pendleton – all hoping to qualify for the Beijing Olympics later this year.
Manchester Velodrome, Sportcity, Stuart Street, M11 4DQ (0871 230 2621/www.worldtrackcycling.com). March 26-30; times vary; £7.50-£22.50 (family tickets and five-day passes available).

FINA World Swimming Championships
The MEN Arena gets a watery makeover in April. More used to boy bands than Olympic-standard swimmers, the Arena is being kitted out with two giant pools. Over 650 swimmers from a staggering 120 countries will compete alongside home grown hopefuls Mark Foster (six times world short course gold medallist), James Goddard (who just missed out on bronze at Athens) and Mike Rock (a student at The University of Manchester who clearly defies the student stereotype of non-stop boozing, partying and long lie-ins).
Manchester Evening News Arena, Victoria Station, M3 1AR (0871 230 9864/www.manchester2008.org). April 9-13; times vary; £8-£30 (ticket packages available).

The Great Manchester Run
Wannabe Paula Radcliffes can dust off their trainers and pant alongside 31,000 athletes as they compete in one of Britain’s fastest 10km races. Although serious athletes do compete (distance runner Haile Gebrselassie is among those who count it as a highlight), the event is also great for amateurs. Even for the less energetic, the setting makes for a good day out. Runners and spectators can soak up the sights of Salford Quays, Imperial War Museum North, Albert Square and the Town Hall.
City centre (www.greatrun.org). May 18, 10am. Note that general entries are now closed but there are several charities looking for runners – check website for details.

UEFA Cup Final 2008
Manchester is rightly known the world over for its footballing prowess, so it’s only fitting that this year’s Cup Final is held at the City of Manchester Stadium – home to Manchester City Football Club. Playing to a capacity crowd of 48,000, and televised live in over 200 countries, the Final is the culmination of the world’s biggest club football competition (as if you didn’t already know).
City of Manchester Stadium, Sportcity, Rowsley Street, M11 3FF (www.uefa.com). May 14; £35-£95. Tickets go on sale on February 14-March 16 with tickets allocated by lottery.

Paralympic World Cup 2008
With their sights set on Beijing, and this the only major international competition before September’s Olympics, the competition at May’s Paralympic World Cup will be fierce. In fact, organisers have recreated the conditions expected in Beijing so that over 400 athletes, swimmers, cyclists and wheelchair racers can prepare for what will likely be the most important competition of their professional careers.
Various venues (www.paralympicworldcup.com). May 7-11; ticket information will be released via the PWC website.

World Squash Championships
If you’ve still got some sporting energy left by October then it’s time to flex your wrist, squeak your best trainsers and get ready for some serious squash. It’s the first time a UK city has hosted the event and punters can expect to see players from 40 countries smashing it out on an all-glass show court. Best of all, there are five British players in the men’s top 20 world rankings and six in the women’s, so, fingers and toes crossed, the championships should be a chance to see Britain walk off with a few medals.
National Squash Centre, Sportcity, Rowsley Street, M11 3FF (www.worldsquash2008.com). October 11-19; times vary; £5-£20.

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