Equinoccio (SPA-ENG)

Equinox

For many years, I was deceived. I was taught in school that spring began on September 21st and autumn on March 21st, and that's how it's celebrated, especially on the day of spring. Students go out to have fun and enjoy the good weather that this date strictly defines.

I remember September 21st of the year I turned 17, with all my hormones swirling wildly in an angelic dance that the date stirred for no apparent reason. I remember it because that day I wore a beautiful shirt for the first time, made of very fine fabric with stud-style buttons that closed with pressure. It had small checkered patterns in various colors, although blue and red predominated. I've always liked blue.

I was so cold that night. Of course, I didn't say anything. I stoically endured the mistake in the forecast, which predicted mild and pleasant weather, just as one expects on a spring day. Even less was I going to admit I was suffering to the young woman with whom we had agreed to go for a walk and have fun.

And I was deceived because it wasn't until several years later that I learned that the equinoxes don't necessarily occur on September or March 21st; they can occur before or after, like today, when, being March 20th, the necessary conditions have been met to determine that the day is the same length as the night; that's precisely what an equinox is. Autumn begins today, not tomorrow. There are tables that indicate the exact moment when that happens, and the other bad news is that next spring, the day that will actually begin in the southern hemisphere, will be September 22nd, not the 21st. I just saw it. All the students will celebrate a day early, and that's bad luck, like celebrating your birthday early.

As usual, I've rambled on, and this time at length.

The reader, if I haven't bored you yet, will be wondering: What's the relationship between sports and the equinoxes?

None in particular, except that this time is something like the beginning of the year, although it's been almost three months since January 1st. This time officially marks the start of the summer sports season in the Northern Hemisphere, and we, here in the South, have no choice but to go along with it.

While it's true that there are winter sports, and they've been very active throughout this time of year, when the harshness of the climate makes an indoor stadium better than any other, the vast majority of sports are held outdoors, and for that, a milder climate is necessary. The NBA and NHL are ending, for example, and the MLB is about to begin, just to mention the favorites in the United States, whether we like it or not, they are sports leaders, among other things.

In Europe, FIFA is beginning its main activity, and the qualifying tournaments for the next World Cup are returning in full force. This coming week, for example, we'll have qualifiers in virtually all affiliated confederations, all after more than two months of inactivity, precisely due to the southern hemisphere summer and northern hemisphere winter. The world athletics leagues are also beginning to emerge from their winter slumber, and some important tournaments are already underway.

Golf is another sport that will soon begin its most active phase with the four majors, the most important tournaments of the year. Tennis will also host most of the Masters 1000s and majors. Formula One has just begun, as if to confirm that the competitive season has awakened from hibernation.

So, friends, the equinox has begun, and with it comes our most productive period, sportingly speaking. Let's take advantage of the fact that we're celebrating, even though the cold is coming and it's not the time to walk around in a fine blue and red checked shirt.