Sporting Highlights for 1970
Here are some of the sporting highlights in the world of sport for 1970. The major events of this year were the FIFA World Cup and the Commonwealth Games (then called the British Commonwealth Games).
The 9th edition of FIFA World Cup was held this year in Mexico. It was the first time the event took place outside of Europe and South America. Brazil won the cup by thrashing Italy 4-1 in the finals. It was the third time Brazil had won the cup and were hence allowed to keep the trophy permanently. This Brazil team is considered one of the greatest national team ever since they stayed perfect, winning all their matches in the qualifiers and the finals.
Jan Kodeš won the French Open for his first grand slam title. He would also repeat it the following year for the second of his three total grand slam titles. Ken Rosewall who won his first Australian Open title 13 years ago wins the title again. This is the longest gap ever between two titles at the same event. Margaret Court won all the four grand slam events to become the second women to ever achieve a golden slam and the first one to achieve the feat in the open era.
Jack Nicklaus won the British Championship for the second time for his eighth major win. He would win it again in for the third time 1978 to become the only golfer at the time to win all the four majors three times. Tiger Woods achieve the same almost three decades later.
Jochen Rindt won five F1 races and was leading the drivers' championship before a fateful accident during a practice run killed him. He had accumulated enough points in the season to become the only F1 driver ever to win the championship posthumously.
Below is a timeline of some significant results in the world of sport for the year 1970.
| Date | Results |
|---|---|
| Jan | Tennis Australia Open won by Arthur Ashe and Margaret Court. |
| Jan | Super Bowl held in New Orleans won by Kansas City. |
| April | Golf Masters won by Billy Casper. |
| May | Tennis French Open won by Jan Kodes and Margaret Court. |
| May 31 - June 21 | FIFA World Cup (Football) tournament was held in Mexico, won by Brazil. |
| June | Golf US Open won by Tony Jacklin. |
| July | the Cycling Tour de France won by Eddy Merckx. |
| July | Tennis Wimbledon won by John Newcombe and Margaret Court. |
| July | Golf The Open Championship won by Jack Nicklaus |
| July 16-25 | Commonwealth Games held in Edinburg, Scotland. |
| Aug | Golf US PGA won by Dave Stockton. |
| Sep | Tennis US Open won by Ken Rosewall and Margaret Court. |
| Oct | The Baseball World Series won by Baltimore Orioles. |
Please note that the dates for past events are not always known, and are sometimes just placed in the month that the current event is held. If no exact date is listed, then it is just an estimated month that it was held.
If you have a correction or know of events that should be included here, please let me know.
Related Pages
- Ballon D'or Winners for 1970
- Timeline (all years) in the world of sport
- For future sporting events, see the Calendar of Major Sporting Events
- More about the World of Sport
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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