TEXT A David Beckham, the most
recognizable face in the world’s most popular game, was the biggest newsmaker in
international sports in 2003. The England captain’s $ 43 million transfer from
Manchester United to Real Madrid was voted the top sports story of the year in a
worldwide poll of Associated Press subscribers. The Beckham saga
finished comfortably ahead of the doping scandals that rocked sports, Michael
Schumacher’s record sixth Formula One title, Lance Armstrong’s fifth straight
Tour de France victory and England’s World Cup rugby triumph. Beckham received
15 first-place votes and 321 total points from 55 ballots cast from sports
editors and broadcasters on all continents—not counting the United States, which
has its own survey. Even before this year, Beckham was magnet
for attention: his hairstyles, fashion statements, sponsor-ship ads and marriage
to a former Spice Girl--not to mention his trademark free kicks and brilliant
passes. But Beckham mania grew to a frenzy in June with his transfer from
Manchester United, his home for 13 years, to Real Madrid, a nine-time European
champion. He joined a roster that includes Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo,
Roberto Carlos and Raul Gonzalez. "If I have become a better player it’s because
these players around me have made me step up to another level," Beckham said. "I
would say coming to Real Madrid was one of the best decisions I have ever
made." A series of high-profile drug cases finished second in
the AP voting with 13 first-place votes and 297 points. British sprinter Dwain
Chambers, four U.S. track and field athletes and four NFL players have tested
positive for the THG, a previously undetectable steroid. The scandal has widened
with dozens of prominent stars, including baseball’s Barry Bonds, testifying
before a federal grand jury in San Francisco investigating the California lab
accused of being the source of the drug. Third in the voting
with 279 points, including seven first-place votes, was Schumacher’s Fl title.
The Ferrari driver won his latest championship by just two points over Kimi
Raikkonen, with an eighth-place finish in the season’s final race. Armstrong was
fourth in the poll with 225 points. The Texan matched Eddy Merckx, Miguel
Indurain, Bernard Hinault and Jacques Anquetil with his fifth Tour de France
victory. England’s first World Cup rugby championship, an overtime victory
against Australia in Sy0ncy--was fifth with 196 points. Roman Abramovich’s
transformation of Chelsea’s soccer team was sixth followed by the death of
Cameroon soccer star Marc Vivien Foe at the FIFA Confederations Cup. Kobe
Bryant’s arrest on sexual assault charges was voted eighth. What was the main reason that Beckham became the top story maker
A．Beckham always attracts the public attention by his fashionable hair style and constant appearance in the media. B．Beckham’s transfer fee breaks a new record in the football world. C．Beckham’s trademark free kick and passes are still best-performed for his new club. D．Beckham controversially leaves the club he has been grown up with and joins one of the other most prestigious clubs in Europe.