There is an unfathomable amount of information out in the world about the history of sport.Even the biggest fans and those who research extensively cannot possibly know every fact there is about every sport and its athletes. But how much of it is classed as common knowledge and which nuggets of information make for great table conversation? We have put together 12 interesting facts you would probably otherwise think were made up. Which of these have you heard before, and which caught you most off guard?
Usain Bolt ate 100 chicken nuggets a day during 2008 Olympics
Who says healthy nutrition is the key to success?
Usain Bolt reportedly ate 100 chicken nuggets a day while competing at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, as well as sides of fries and apple pies.
But despite his food choice probably making every nutritionist die a little inside, Bolt still earned an historic double sprint victory in the 100m and 200m, while also setting new world records in the events.
BEIJING - AUGUST 22: Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates after winning the Men's 4 x 100m Relay Final at the National Stadium on Day 14 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 22, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Diego Maradona took a drug test with a fake piece of manhood
The Argentinian legend was famously known for his ability on the pitch and his behaviour off it.
For most of his career, Maradona was able to keep his drug habits undetected by dodging doping tests.
During his time with Napoli, he is known to have used a fake plastic penis containing clear urine in order to produce desired results.
LIMA, PERU - JUNE 23: Argentina player Diego Maradona in action during a 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Peru at the National Stadium on June 23, 1985 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by David Cannon/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive)
The longest tennis rally consisted of 51,283 strokes
The longest tennis rally in history was recorded in Italy in 2017.
Simone Frediani and Daniele Pecci, two tennis amateurs, set an official Guinness World Record with their astonishing rally of 51,283 strokes.
The attempt started at 6.23am and finished at 7pm that evening.
Michael Phelps holds record for longest putt in televised golf history
The most decorated Olympian of all time hasn't just set records in the pool, but on the green as well.
In 2012, the legendary swimmer sunk a putt of 159 feet (53 yards) at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The shot is believed to be the longest televised golf putt in history, and by some margin too.
Video: Michael Phelps' record-breaking golf putt
All of Antoine Griezmann's children were born on same date
No, they aren't triplets, just three siblings of different ages, all coincidentally born on the same day.
Antoine Griezmann's wife gave birth to their children Alvaro, Mia and Alba on April 8th in 2016, 2019 and 2021.
Happy birthday dear everyone, happy birthday to you...
The 'fastest race in history' was set down a rainy street in Manchester
Bolt has achieved incredible things during his career and is still regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time.
Although, a lot of people forget when the Jamaican legend competed in the Great City Games on a rainy day in Manchester, which just so happened to mark a major milestone.
This 150m race is considered to be the fastest race in history. Remarkable considering it was an unofficial race and not many sports fans are as aware of it as they are Bolt's other achievements.
Video: Usain Bolt records the fastest race in history at the Great City Games on a rainy Manchester afternoon
The first woman to cycle around the world learned how to ride a bike a few days before
Annie Kopchovsky, better known as Annie Londonderry, became the first woman to cycle around the world in 1894-1895.
Surprisingly, she learned to ride a bike just two days before she set out on her 15-month road trip around the globe.
Londonderry set off from Boston in June 1894 and arrived in Chicago in September 1895. She received $10,000 for her remarkable achievement.
Real Madrid beat their own reserves in the 1980 Copa del Rey final
Real Madrid secured their 14th Copa del Rey back in 1980 after a very unusual turn of events.
Los Blancos faced their own reserve team, Castilla, in the final in a bizarre showdown to fight for the trophy.
In the end, Real Madrid beat Castilla 6-1 at the Bernabéu, with Ricardo Ãlvarez scoring the only goal for the reserve team.
Video: Real Madrid beat Castilla to win the 1980 Copa del Rey title
A boxing match was held between a man and a bear in 1949
Yes, you read this barbaric bit of information right.
The occasion, which was described as 'historic,' involved boxer Gus Waldorf and a bear in 1949.
The bear had a muzzle placed over its mouth and gloves on its front paws to make the fight 'fair.' In the end, the bear won regardless.
Apparently, this isn’t the only time a bear has been forced to fight inside a boxing ring either.
The longest tennis match in history lasted 11 hours and five minutes
Tennis is one of the most physically intensive sports in the world, which is why this statistic is crazy.
The longest tennis match in history came during the 2010 Wimbledon Championships.
John Isner of the USA and France's Nicolas Mahut played out an unbelievable first round match that lasted 665 minutes — more than 11 hours.
The match had to be played over three days and eventually ended 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68 in favour of Isner.
Video: All 11 hours and five minutes of the longest tennis match in history (no, really)
Babe Ruth wore a cabbage leaf under his cap
Back when Babe Ruth played baseball, from 1914 to 1935, there was no air conditioning and MLB uniforms were woollen.
So things got very hot, very quickly during summer days.
In order to keep cool, the legendary slugger would wear a cabbage leaf under his cap. Cucumber is known to be handy for helping someone cool down, as left over water evaporates and helps the body feel cooler.
This is probably where Ruth was going with the whole cabbage leaf idea.
MLB umpires wear black underwear while on the job in case they split their pants
Umpires at Major League level must follow strict instructions, even down to what colour underwear they put on before a game.
In MLB, dignity is everything, which is why umpires are required to wear black under garments to make any accidental trouser-splitting incident less conspicuous.
Quiz: How well do you remember these iconic British sporting moments?