2013 was a year of impossibilities come true — from a 64-year-old’s swim to Florida from Cuba to a football win fought out in eight inches of snow. Elsewhere, a bitter rivalry plays out, and the World Series brings a community together after tragedy. Ahead, find out top 10 sports moments of 2013.
This story appears the special Year in Photos issue of our weekly iPad magazine, Huffington, available Friday, Dec. 27 in the iTunes App store.
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Usain Bolt, 08.11.13
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Jamaica’s Usain Bolt wins the 100-meter final at the 2013 IAAF World Championships at Luzhniki Stadium, just as lightning strikes in the sky. Bolt timed a season’s best, 9.77 seconds, with American Justin Gatlin claiming silver in 9.85 seconds and Nesta Carter, also of Jamaica, taking bronze in 9.95 seconds.
Nitro Circus, 02.28.13
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To launch the release of Nitro Circus: The Movie, action-sport collective Nitro Circus set a Guinness World Record with a stunt that involved 18 daredevils simultaneously back-flipping motorcycles dangerously close to one another.
Boston Red Sox Victory, 11.02.13
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The Red Sox’s World Series trophy and a “Boston Strong 617” jersey sit on the finish line of the Boston Marathon during the World Series’ victory parade, in honor of the community affected by the bombing.
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Diana Nyad, 08.31.13
AP
U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, greets her support team before her swim to Florida from Havana. The endurance athlete made history when she became the first to complete the swim without a protective shark cage.
Auburn Win, 11.30.13
AP
Auburn cornerback Chris Davis returns a missed field-goal attempt 109 yards to score the game-winning touchdown as time expired in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against No. 1 Alabama. Auburn won the Iron Bowl game 34-28.
The Blizzard, 12.08.13
AP
Philadelphia Eagles’ DeSean Jackson celebrates in the snow after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions. The teams notably played through a blizzard — up to eight inches of snow fell throughout the game. The Eagles won, 34-20
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Pacers Vs. Knicks, 05.18.13
AP
Indiana Pacers’ Roy Hibbert blocks a shot from the New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, right, during the Eastern Conference Semifinal NBA basketball playoff series. The Pacers defeated the Knicks — with whom they have a longstanding rivalry — 106-99 to win the series 4-2. They advanced to the finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat.
Serena Wins French Open, 06.08.13
AP
Serena Williams celebrates as she defeats Russia’s Maria Sharapova during the women’s final match of the French Open at the Roland Garros stadium. Williams won 6-4, 6-4.
Ronaldo's Goal, 11.19.13
AP
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the World Cup 2014 qualifying playoff between Sweden and Portugal, ensuring the team plays in a fourth-straight World Cup.
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Final Four, 04.08.13
AP
Michigan guard Trey Burke walks off the court as Louisville celebrate their win during the NCAA Final Four championship game. Louisville won 82-76.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this post incorrectly identified the Boston Marathon bombing as a shooting.
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