Hyderabad: It began with the loss of one of the NBA's greatest stars - Kobe Bryant - who was killed in a helicopter crash in California. He was 41.
In April, motorsport lost arguably the greatest driver never to have won the Formula One world championship.
Sir Stirling Moss died aged 90 after a long illness.
Football was hit hard in 2020, with England losing Jack Charlton and Nobby Stiles - two members of the 1966 World Cup-winning side.
Two more World Cup winners followed.
Diego Maradona, a hero in his native Argentina and one of the greatest footballers the world has ever produced, died on 25th November aged 60 of a heart attack following brain surgery in La Plata.
And Paolo Rossi, the Juventus and AC Milan striker who scored a hat-trick against Brazil in Italy's run to the 1982 World Cup title died on 9th December aged 64 following a long illness.
And warm tributes were paid to Gerard Houllier, the football manager who led Liverpool to five major trophies, including the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2000-01.
Houllier, who also had a spell in charge of the French national side, died on 14th December at the age of 73.
