Perfect Understanding Trivia Quiz

Answer: Men's 4 x 400 metres

Baton passing in the 4 x 400 metres race is less fraught than in the 4 x 100 version, where seeing the baton falling to the ground is a fairly regular event. The longer distance does give the runners on later legs a better chance to grasp the baton safely, although collisions do sometimes occur.

The 4 x 400 can sometimes be a procession, but the event can also be an exciting end to a meeting.

Answer: Jelena Jankovic

Jamie and Jelena beat Jonas Bjorkman and Alicia Molik in the final. Their flirtatious manner on court led to much speculation that the partnership was more than a professional one, but they haven't played together since.

Answer: Steve Redgrave

Redgrave won in the coxed four event in 1984, then won three consecutive golds in the coxless pairs, until finishing in 2000 with a gold in the coxless four.
His partner in 1988 was Andy Holmes, then he rowed with Matthew Pinsent in 1992, 1996 and 2000. Pinsent himself went on to 2004, so won four consecutive gold medals himself. Both Redgrave and Pinsent have been knighted.

Answer: Hopman Cup

The Ryder Cup is held every two years, and was contested by Great Britain and Ireland when it began in 1927 against the USA. The competition was changed to include European players in 1979 as the American players had begun to dominate. The Solheim Cup is for women players and began in 1990. Both these are for professional players, but amateurs have their own version in the Walker Cup.

The Hopman Cup is a tennis event.

Answer: Jamaica

Since bobsleigh relies on a very fast push start, sprinters often transfer to the sport when they retire from the track. British examples are Marcus Adam and Allyn Condon. The Jamaican team became well known due to their novelty value and the 1993 film, 'Cool Runnings', was based on their exploits.

Answer: New Zealand

Rugby Union is New Zealand's most popular sport and the one in which they have had most international success, although they do have a respected cricket team as well. Australia's team is nicknamed the 'Wallabies', South Africa are the 'Springboks' and Argentina are known as the 'Pumas'.

Answer: Ginger McCain

Red Rum won in 1973, 1974 and 1977 and came second in 1975 and 1976. In the first three races, he was ridden by Brian Fletcher before Tommy Stack took over for the final two years. McCain also trained the 2004 winner, Amberleigh House. The other names are all other trainers who have had great success with Grand National winners.

Answer: Michael Holding

Jim Laker played for England, and took 19 wickets (of a maximum of 20) in one Test match against Australia in 1956. Shane Warne played for Australia until retiring in 2007. Muralitharan played for Sri Lanka. Michael Holding was among the best West Indian fast bowlers of all-time. His nickname was 'Whispering Death'.

Answer: USSR/Russia

Various couples from Russia have won every year from 1964 to 2006. From 1964 to 1988, they competed as the Soviet Union. In 1992, they were known as the unified team and from 1994 onwards as Russia. The only hint of a break in their dominance came in 2002, when the gold medal was shared with Canada after a voting scandal.

However, in 2010 the event was won by a Chinese couple. The pairs event includes acrobatic lifts and throws and carries the biggest risk of injury among the figure skating events.

Answer: Brazil

Like many Brazilian footballers, Edison Arantes do Nascimento is known by his nickname, which is just as well. He could probably score a hat-trick in the time spent pronouncing his real name. Although he retired in 1977, Pele still remains among the best known footballers, even to those who do not follow the sport. Brazil is one of the most successful football nations, and have won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.