This: Superstar (disambiguation)

Superstars is an all-around sports competition that pits elite athletes from different sports against one another in a series of athletic events resembling a decathlon. The idea was developed by 1948 and 1952 Olympic figure skating champion Dick Button. He shopped the idea to all three U.S. television networks, and ABC bought it as a special for the winter of 1973. The first Superstars competition was held in Rotonda, Florida in March 1973 and was won by pole vaulter Bob Seagren. The BBC covered the competition and aired their own programme, featuring British athletes in August 1973 and that competition was captured by 400 metre hurdles Olympic champion David Hemery. Television broadcasts of the competitions were popular both in Europe and North America in the 1970s and 1980s.

Competitors participate in 10 different sporting events, including a 100 metre sprint, 800 metre (roughly ½ mile) run, obstacle course race, weightlifting, football (soccer), rowing, tennis, bicycle racing, gym test, and swimming. The sports used have varied somewhat over time and between the European and American competitions. Points are awarded for the position in which the competitor places in each event. The competitor with the most points at the end of all 10 events is declared the champion.

Britain/Europe

One of the most famous moments in the British series was when footballer Kevin Keegan injured himself by falling off his bike during the cycling event. He insisted on re-racing and secured second place in the event, before going on to win that edition of the programme. Another famous moment was the controversial use of sunflower oil by Jonah Barrington to aid him in the squat thrust event.

In 1982, electronic scoring systems were introduced, with pressure pads for the squat thrusts. These originally ran on the Commodore VIC-20, and later on the BBC Microcomputer. The programs were developed and the system operated by Simon Taylor.

The programme had a spin-off called The Superteams in which one memorable moment was when British athlete Gary Cook played goalkeeper in the six-a-side hockey contest without wearing a helmet, running out of the D circle and tackling an opponent.

The show returned to the BBC in 2002 with a one-off special for Sport Relief, with England rugby union star Austin Healey the winner. Du'aine Ladejo (athletics) won the 2004 events (actually filmed in 2003), with Alain Baxter (skiing) winning in 2005 (actually filmed in 2004). One notorious incident in 2003 saw boxer Wayne McCullough severely burning his feet by sliding during the squat thrust competition. This caused a change in the rules whereby the competitors must now lift their feet off the ground during this event.

The BBC Superstars used a musical theme composed by Johnny Pearson and titled "Heavy Action". This piece later became familiar to Americans as the theme music for Monday Night Football.