BBC Sport’s retrospective of 2025 showcases 25 iconic photographs, revealing the personal and technical stories behind memorable moments involving stars like Noah Lyles and Charles Leclerc.
BBC Sport has released its curated selection of the 25 best sports photographs from 2025, offering a unique look at the year’s defining moments through the lenses of world-class photographers.
The collection features a mix of high-stakes competition and intimate, off-track human interest stories.
Each image is accompanied by the first-hand account of the photographer, explaining the technical precision and split-second timing required to capture these legendary sporting instances.
Among the highlights is a striking image of Noah Lyles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The photo captures Lyles jumping in the air on the start line of the 100m heats, perfectly encapsulating the energy and showmanship he brought to the stadium.
Another featured shot captures Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc sitting on a Zandvoort sandbank during the Dutch Grand Prix.
After a collision ended his race, Leclerc was famously photographed borrowing a photographer’s phone to watch the remaining laps.
The gallery also looks forward to the 2026 sporting calendar, spotlighting stars like skeleton racer Matt Weston and cricketer Natalia Sciver-Brunt.
It bridges the gap between historical nostalgia—evoked by images of snooker great Paul Hunter—and the modern era of global icons like Harry Kane.
By focusing on the “stories behind” the frames, the BBC highlights the blend of luck and expertise that defines professional sports photography.