Due to the rareness of truly exceptional acts of sporting chivalry many of them live long in the memory. Here is a run down of some of the most amazing acts of sportsmanship that sport has seen:
Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin
American domination of the Ryder Cup in 1969 was absolute, the domination was so complete people almost began to become bored with the event itself. Unthinkable, when you compare it to today's competition.
It was one man's action's that reignited this great combination and stoked the imagination. With both teams locked at 15 ½-15 ½ , the final rubber between Britain's Tony Jacklin and the formidable Jack Nicklaus would decide where the trophy was headed. The two men reached the 18th tee the match was all-square. The American played the hole perfectly and holed-out for a regulation par. In contrast, Jacklin faced a tricky three-footer forcing the first ever tie in the event. Nicklaus was set to be the hero, yet made one of the great sporting gestures, picking up his opponent's ball marker rather than forcing Jacklin to putt out. Nicklaus incurred the wrath of US captain, however this result set the tone for a more competitive event and laid the seeds for the refurbished version enjoyed by several million people across the globe today.
Before Mansell's 1992 Formula 1 World Championship victory, he was forging a reputation as a perennial nearly man of British driving. Ayrton Senna had so often proved the Englishman's nemesis and in 1991 the pair were in close competition once again. Mansell managed to hold off the Brazilian's determined challenge for 59 laps and in a close race, Senna's McLaren looked the stronger car. It seemed obvious that he would pass Mansell's Williams for the lead. However, with 10 laps to go Senna ran out of fuel. Mansell strolled to the win and, on his victory lap, stopped to pick up the stricken Senna who, faced with a long walk back to the garages, had decided to watch the remainder from trackside. Senna waved away several angry race stewards and remained on-board Mansell's car until they arrived at the pits.
Sir Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss is probably the best driver never to win the Formula One World Championship. Although he was determined to become Britain's first world champion, he believed the manner in which the battle was fought was as important as the outcome. In 1958 his sporting principles were challenged to the fullest. It was the Portuguese Grand Prix, championship rival Mike Hawthorn was accused of reversing on the track after spinning and faced disqualification. This would strip him of second place and seven vital points. Stirling defended Hawthorn, insisting his fellow Englishman should not be penalised. He got his own way but, despite claiming four race wins to Hawthorne's one, would miss out on the drivers' crown by a single point.
Paolo Di Canio
Fresh from his 1998 encounter with referee Paul Alcock after a sending off against Arsenal, Di Canio was not seen in the best light by the football public and definitely not seen a great advocate of fair play.
Nigel Mansell
Before Mansell's 1992 Formula 1 World Championship victory, he was forging a reputation as a perennial nearly man of British driving. Ayrton Senna had so often proved the Englishman's nemesis and in 1991 the pair were in close competition once again. Mansell managed to hold off the Brazilian's determined challenge for 59 laps and in a close race, Senna's McLaren looked the stronger car. It seemed obvious that he would pass Mansell's Williams for the lead. However, with 10 laps to go Senna ran out of fuel. Mansell strolled to the win and, on his victory lap, stopped to pick up the stricken Senna who, faced with a long walk back to the garages, had decided to watch the remainder from trackside. Senna waved away several angry race stewards and remained on-board Mansell's car until they arrived at the pits.
Andrew Flintoff and Brett Lee
The 2005 Ashes was the first time England won back the the famous urn since 1987 and will live long in cricket fans memories. The turning point of the great series was the second Test at Edgbaston. England playing superbly needed just two wickets to level the series by the fourth day. After Shane Warne exited they needed one wicked, while Australia needed 61 runs to complete the win. The Australians dug in and began to chip away at the lead, with Brett Lee scoring regularly. When Lee finally succumbed to the English bowlers he could not hide his disappointment. Flintoff, recognising his opponent's truly valiant effort, consoled the Australian. "We tried to bowl him out, we tried to knock him out. We tried everything, but he wouldn't budge," Flintoff said. "So after it happened I went over, put my arm around him. I can't remember exactly what I said, but it was some words of consolation - probably the reason why I did it is [because] he did not deserve to be on the losing team - and obviously I have great respect for him."
The 2005 Ashes was the first time England won back the the famous urn since 1987 and will live long in cricket fans memories. The turning point of the great series was the second Test at Edgbaston. England playing superbly needed just two wickets to level the series by the fourth day. After Shane Warne exited they needed one wicked, while Australia needed 61 runs to complete the win. The Australians dug in and began to chip away at the lead, with Brett Lee scoring regularly. When Lee finally succumbed to the English bowlers he could not hide his disappointment. Flintoff, recognising his opponent's truly valiant effort, consoled the Australian. "We tried to bowl him out, we tried to knock him out. We tried everything, but he wouldn't budge," Flintoff said. "So after it happened I went over, put my arm around him. I can't remember exactly what I said, but it was some words of consolation - probably the reason why I did it is [because] he did not deserve to be on the losing team - and obviously I have great respect for him."
Sir Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss is probably the best driver never to win the Formula One World Championship. Although he was determined to become Britain's first world champion, he believed the manner in which the battle was fought was as important as the outcome. In 1958 his sporting principles were challenged to the fullest. It was the Portuguese Grand Prix, championship rival Mike Hawthorn was accused of reversing on the track after spinning and faced disqualification. This would strip him of second place and seven vital points. Stirling defended Hawthorn, insisting his fellow Englishman should not be penalised. He got his own way but, despite claiming four race wins to Hawthorne's one, would miss out on the drivers' crown by a single point.
Paolo Di Canio
Fresh from his 1998 encounter with referee Paul Alcock after a sending off against Arsenal, Di Canio was not seen in the best light by the football public and definitely not seen a great advocate of fair play.
Fast-forward a few years and the mercurial striker, now plying his trade for West Ham, was a changed man. Di Canio's unselfish act in deliberately abandoning a distinct scoring opportunity so that injured Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard might receive immediate attention won the Italian the FIFA Fair Play award and wiped clean his slate of previous offences. "I am not a saint, just like I wasn't a killer three years ago with the referee when I did something wrong," said Di Canio shortly after the game.
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