China Media Group (CMG) on Thursday released its 10 most significant pieces of international sports news of the year.
1. Carbon neutrality was reached for the first time in the history of Asian (Para) Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province.
2. Germany beat Serbia to win their first FIBA Basketball World Cup title in Manila, the Philippines, on September 10.
3. Spain defeated England to win their first FIFA Women's World Cup championship in Sydney, Australia, on August 20.
4. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach announced the IOC Esports Commission on September 6.
5. Lionel Messi of Argentina wins his eighth Ballon d'Or award at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, on October 30.
Venues for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. /CFP
Dennis Schroder (L) of Germany drives toward the rim in the FIBA Basketball World Cup final against Serbia at Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, the Philippines, September 10, 2023. /CFP
Team Spain celebrate winning the FIFA Women's World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, August 20, 2023. /CFP
Lionel Messi after receiving the 2023 Ballon d'Or during the award ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, October 30, 2023. /CFP
Novak Djokovic holds up the trophy after winning the men's singles final of the U.S. Open in New York, U.S., September 10, 2023. /CFP
Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya breaks the men's marathon world record with 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon in Chicago, Illinois, October 8, 2023. /CFP
Mohammad Shahzad of Afghanistan competes in the cricket men's semifinal against Pakistan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, October 6, 2023. /CFP
Leon Marchand reacts after winning the men's 400m individual medley final at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 23, 2023. /CFP
American gymnast Simone Biles competes on the floor exercise in the women's individual all-around final during the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, October 6, 2023. /CFP
6. Novak Djokovic of Serbia won his 24th Grand Slam men's singles title at the U.S. Open in New York City on September 10.
7. Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya broke the men's marathon world record with 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon in Chicago, Illinois, on October 8.
8. The IOC executive board approved five new sports: cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash and baseball-softball, for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
9. Leon Marchand of France broke the swimming men's 400-meter individual medley record at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on July 23.
10. Simone Biles of the U.S. won the women's individual all-around title at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships for the sixth time in Antwerp, Belgium, on October 6.