Well, where to begin…
The forum stayed online another year thanks to @Sindo. It got a facelift thanks to the content generated by @Matej@JoshMartini007@Vojthas @Mkbw50 and others. Our results section grew thanks to the major contribution of @frantic13poland, among others. We celebrated another two editions of TISC under the guidance of @OlympicIRL, with wonderful hosts @Vektor @Hipooo. Our competitive circuit of prediction contests was once again successfully overseen by @Wumo, and our end of year awards revived by @vinipereira. Finally, the moderation team kept things (mostly) civil in the threads for another year against all odds. Hats off all
It finally felt like international sports returned to a semi-normal state this year. We celebrated another Olympics, World Cup, and numerous other events together. Unfortunately, it was also a year marked by conflict. Conflict between nations; between internal domestic forces; between users. It was certainly a year of highs and lows; from top athletes missing the Olympics due to Covid and other injuries, to Messi finally leading Argentina to a World Cup victory. Some of us spent time recovering from injuries and illness, while others celebrated bringing a new life into the world. Through it all, and not to lean too hard on the favorite cliche of the international sports community, we were united by sport.
Whether we were captivated or devastated, entertained or bored, overjoyed by victory or ostensibly angered by loss; users alike were connected by sport. We screamed, laughed, argued, celebrated, and debated like one large dysfunctional family; a brotherhood of international sports fans. I can say, without a shred of doubt, that my year was inextricably improved by the time I spent on this forum. If time is money, then joining the forum just over four years ago was one of my more sound investments. I’d like to thank all of you for your contributions to this forum. We’ve collectively grown such a wonderful, even if occasionally frustrating, community.
Additionally, many of you have been so incredibly supportive of my career as an international sports journalist. I can’t thank you enough for your support. I can only hope to repay you with more excellent content in the year to come.
So with that sentiment, let’s remember fondly the year we’re leaving behind, and greet the future with great enthusiasm. We’re now mere minutes away from the last Totallympics time zone joining everyone else in the New Year, so break out the confetti, libations, firecrackers, boomsticks, and cursed vuvuzelas. It’s time for one last celebration in 2022!