Strange moments from the world of sports in 2017
Dogs that surf, lambs that race, a disorientated hurdler and a rhinoceros at the London Marathon. Like most year's 2017 produced its share of curious moments. Here's a look back.
Gentlemanly gesture
Who says there are no gentlemen left in football? Hertha Berlin's mascot Herthinho proves that this is not the case – kissing the hand of Bibiana Steinhaus – just minutes before she became the first woman to referee a Bundesliga match on September 9.
There's no stopping a smartphone camera
Being caught in the middle of choreography can make it difficult to see the field of play. However, this didn't prevent this female fan from getting a shot of the pitch with her smartphone before the start of a Portuguese league football match FC Porto vs Sporting CP in Porto.
The value of a baseball cap
The few baseball-cap wearers at the FA Cup semifinal between Arsenal and Manchester City were at a distinct advantage. As for the rest, they had no other recourse than to use their hands to shield their eyes from the low sun.
Beating the elements
This member of the Williams team continues his work in the rain despite the torrential rain at Suzuka – kept dry by a plastic raincoat.
Missed the turn
Beatrice Chepkoech (left) had to chuckle after she missed the curve heading to the water-jump barrier at the IAAF World Championships. She recoiled, took the barrier and despite the detour managed to finish in fourth place.
See son, this is how it's done...
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique shows his son one way of getting a souvenir after his team beat Deportivo Alaves 3-1 in the final of the Copa del Rey.
Added flavor
They must have run out of glasses! That didn't stop Australian Formula One driver David Ricciardo from sampling the bubbly after finishing third in the Austrian Grand Prix. Turns out there is more than one use for an F1 driver's shoe.
Celebratory swim
Here's something the ball boys and girls at the Barcelona Open won't soon forget: After winning the final, Rafael Nadal led the way as they all dove into the adjoining pool.
That didn't go well!
Looks like this pooch got more than he bargained for when his owner entered him in the Surf City Surf Dog competition in Huntington Beach, California. More than 40 dogs from the United States, Brazil and Canada took part in the competition. You have to think the owners had more fun than the dogs...
Enough to throw any runner off his stride
The runner in white does a double take as a "competitor" dressed up as a rhino approaches him from behind during the London Marathon.
Mud race
It helps to have a sense of humor if you decide to take part on the 7.5-kilometer (4.7 miles) Barjot Run obstacle race in Biere in the west of Switzerland. Some 1,500 participants too part in the 2017 edition of the event.
The running of the lambs
Once every year the thoroughbreds make way for the lambs at Ascot Racecourse in Britain. Lambs with names like Red Ram or Wolly Jumper rule the course. Their "jockeys" are thought to have little influence on the outcome of the race.