Whoever said romance is dead, is dead wrong.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sydney Morning Herald sports readers still believe in love.
The most-read sports article on the Sydney Morning Herald website this year was the most heart-warming story out of the Olympic Games in Rio.
Stadium volunteer Marjorie Enya proposed to her girlfriend of two years, Brazil rugby sevens team member Isadora Cerullo, after the gold medal match between Australia and New Zealand. And the answer was a resounding yes.
That wasn't the only foray into Rio for readers.
Of the top 20 most read articles, seven were from Olympic Games.
No.13 was the outrage of Chinese media and fans after Mack Horton's controversial comments towards Chinese swimmer Sun Yang. Greg Baum wrote of the wider implications of Horton's comments, which came in at No.18.
Sydney's infatuation with real estate and renovations also spilled over into Rio. A story about the comments made by Australia's Olympic chef de mission Kitty Chiller on the state of the apartments for Australian athletes was the second most read article of the year.
Polarising: Nick Kyrgios. Photo: Rick Rycroft
One of Chiller's favourite targets, Nick Kyrgios, also made it onto the list.
His many outbursts had people clicking away, particularly his display at the Australian Open this year where the crowd let loose on him.
After the Australian Open, it seems the most grand sporting events in Australia are still held in high regard. The Melbourne Cup is the race that stops the nation and keeps people reading, with two stories making the most-read list at No.6 and No.17.
As for the greatest rivalry in Australian sport, Sydney has spoken – at least discerning Herald readers have – and State of Origin reigns supreme.
The live blog for State of Origin II was the most read league story of the year and finished fifth overall.
League stories feature on the top-20 list three times, but not always for the right reasons. Coming in at No.8 was Mitchell Pearce's own dog day afternoon. Perhaps a little disappointing given 2016 was the year of the underdog.
Cronulla and the Western Bulldogs broke their respective premiership droughts. Leicester City pulled off mission impossible in the English Premier League.
There were also American fairytales, including an incredible homecoming for Cleveland's prodigal son, LeBron James. He lead the Cavaliers to an NBA championship with Aussie Matthew Dellavedova by his side.
Even the Chicago Cubs broke the curse of the goat and ended their 98-year drought between World Series victories.
Yet none of the above could make it to the top 20.
The Australian men's cricket team drew the ire of every would-be selector across Australia leading into the day-night Test against South Africa in Adelaide.
Despite the acrimony though, it was the king of spin who drew the spotlight. Shane Warne, having retired almost a decade ago, was one of a few cricket yarns that slid in to the top-20 list.
The story? When he called out former captain Steve Waugh, labelling him "The most selfish cricketer I've played with".
In true Warnie style, the comments were made on reality TV show I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!
Bowled, Shane.
Shane Warne talked his way into one of the year's most read sport stories. Photo: Mathew Lynn
While on cricket, remember how Test cricket was suffering a slow drawn-out death? Surprisingly, the third most read story this year was day one coverage of the first Test of Australia's tour of New Zealand.
The death of journalist Rebecca Wilson also stunned readers and was the fourth-most read story online of the year.
The infamous Chris Gayle "don't blush baby" interview with Mel McLaughlin was a disappointing reminder that sport still has a long way to go before it can claim there's fair treatment for women, whether competing or reporting.
The Herald's chief sports writer Andrew Webster lamented as such and readers took note.
Another prominent woman in the media to make the list was Yvonne Sampson. She shared her story via Danny Wiedler's column in The Sun-Herald.
What will be thrown up next year? That remains to be seen.
For now most readers will be hoping their new year's celebrations are like Marjorie's proposal, sealed with a kiss.
Top 20 most read articles
