It’s an occurrence that happens every four years. Leap years add an extra day to the calendar year to help keep the year synchronised with the seasonal year. However there are sporting events’ anniversaries that are only officially marked on this day.
Most recently was on the last leap year in 2020, where Watford beat Liverpool, 3-0. Perhaps at first glance, it doesn’t look very notable. However this marked Jurgen Klopp’s men’s first defeat all season, and it was their first Premier League defeat since January 2019. This subsequently ended their staggering 44-game unbeaten top flight run, the second longest in history.
That was a day to forget for Klopp’s side, however it did not affect the season too much, as the red side of Merseyside obtained their first league title in 30 years, albeit having to wait an extra 2 months to lift the trophy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
32 years ago, in the National Hockey League, Ray Bourque became only the third Defenceman to reach 1000 points when he did so for the Boston Bruins against the Washington Capitals.
He still holds the outright record for points for his position, as in his career he amassed a staggering 1579 points. Bourque also holds the record for his Defenceman position for assists and goals.
60 years ago today saw Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser smash her own 100m freestyle record to report a time of 58.9 seconds. She went on to win the gold medal in that year’s Olympics in Tokyo in 1964. It was her third straight gold medal after obtaining them in 1956 in Melbourne, and 1960 in Rome.
Finally, 76 years ago, Lawson Little won the PGA St Petersburg Open, in which the Rhode Islander became the last person to win a PGA event on a day of a leap year.
Unique birthdays on this day can only be celebrated once every four years technically. There are a few famous names, such as Henri Richard, a 11-time Stanley cup winner. Also a former tennis No.6 in Henrik Sundstrom who turns 60 today, and Barcelona forward Ferran Torres and NBA star Tyrese Haliburton who both celebrate their 24th birthday today.
