A week of grief is a reminder to reflect on the magnificent triviality of sport

Sport, while often celebrated for its exhilaration, also serves as a poignant reminder of human fragility and loss. Hugh McIlvanney noted how even in death, the struggles of boxers and jockeys were dwarfed by existential concerns, while Robert Walls highlighted how sport’s significance can be overshadowed when we lose those we love. Meanwhile, Adam Selwood’s untimely death underscored how deeply personal sport’s grandeur is, showing its ability to evoke both awe and grief. Both stories remind us that sport transcends mere entertainment—it touches our most human sides of joy, pain, and introspection.