Back to the Top News Newsfeed

The 2020 Moments When Sports Made Sense

In a year in which Covid-19 caused more than 1.7 million deaths worldwide, sports competitions took place amid much debate over their necessity and the wisdom of their proceeding during a global health crisis. Did any good come from them?

As these personal stories from the New York Times staff and contributors attest, in small ways and momentous ones, sports in 2020 offered some perfectly timed reminders of what it means to be human right now.

When LeBron brought the Champagne celebration

It was nearing 11 p.m. on Oct. 11, the final night of the N.