Gifted sportsmen who could play for their countries in more than one sport. Other than C.B. Fry, who led England in cricket and football, and had the world long jump record, some others:
Don Alfonso De Portago
The 17th Marquis of Portago, legendary womaniser, general hell-raiser and Formula 1 driver was also a bobsleigh rider in the 1956 Winter Olympics for Spain. Apart from being a swimmer, polo player and shooter.
Jeff Wilson
One of the finest rugby players ever, and the second-highest try-scorer for New Zealand’s famed All Blacks. And a hard-hitting all-rounder who’s back playing cricket for the Kiwis after a 12-year gap!
Mildred ‘Babe’ Didrikson
Four track and field world records, two Olympic golds, 55 golf tournament wins, excellent at baseball, boxing, swimming and billiards. And a lesbian in an age when women weren’t taken seriously. No wonder respect’s been a while coming.
Simen Agdestein
One of the most unlikely combinations of all. In 1989, this chess Grand Master played as a striker for the Norwegian soccer team when he was the 16th-ranked chess player in the world.
So you thought you knew all about
Ray Charles
Genius innovator of jazz, soul, blues and country; one of the century’s greatest musicians, he is now the subject of Oscar-nominated biopic, ‘Ray’. What’s false about him?
A. ‘Ray’ received six Oscar nominations, for direction, editing, sound, costumes, best film and best actor.
B. Charles saw the film before he died last June, and reportedly approved.
C. He went blind at age six from the trauma of seeing his little brother drown.
D. Stand-up comedian Jamie Foxx who plays Charles is a classically-trained pianist, and so looks natural on screen.
Answer C. So suggests the film; it was actually glaucoma
what is
Chilenismo
The term for Chilean Spanish angularities: They can mystify all other Spanish speakers utterly. For instance, instead of "It is very hot," a man or woman from Chile is very likely to say "Roast ducks are falling from the sky" (Estan cayendo los patos asados).
