In case you were too busy looking after kids, getting coffee for your very prestigious boss, or … tanning, here’s what you missed this past summer in the world of sports:

EURO 2012 — The tournament started off amid accusations of racism by European Football Championship hosts, Poland and Ukraine, and ended the same way things usually have in soccer these days: with Spain lifting a trophy. Mario Balotelli was a breakout star for runner-up Italy while Christiano Ronaldo finally performed on the international stage (but inexplicably didn’t take a pentalty kick in Portugal’s semifinal match against Spain). International soccer fans now turn to qualifying for World Cup 2014 in Brazil where, if we had to wager, we’d put a couple of Euros (or maybe not …) on Spain.

OLYMPICS — Following the Euro Cup, the world turned its attention to London, as the Games of the XXX Olympiad welcomed athletes from 205 nations. Usain Bolt was clearly still eating his chicken nuggets as he defended both his 100 and 200-metre titles, becoming the first runner ever to accomplish the feat. Michael Phelps concluded his last Olympics in style, becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 22 medals. Rosanngh MacLennan bounced to Canada’s only gold medal of the games in trampoline, while our women’s soccer team was unfairly bounced from the semifinal against the USA due to what many called questionable refereeing. The red and white finished with 18 medals, the same amount they earned in Beijing four years ago.

BASEBALL — The Nationals, Orioles, Pirates, Rays, A’s, and Reds are all in playoff contention. The Angels, Red Sox, and Phillies are not. What? A surprising summer has led to the MLB standings being turned on their heads. Former Expos fans will finally see their old team make the playoffs (sorry, we had to), but the decision to shut down ace Stephen Strasburg before the team’s first playoff appearance in 31 years was probably made by the same person who built the Olympic Stadium. The Nats’ beltway rivals in Baltimore are also experiencing a renaissance, and are currently tied with the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Elsewhere in that division, Edwin Encarnacion seems to be playing on a team by himself in Toronto and the Boston Red Sox are completely imploding… again.

HOCKEY — It looks like the NHL is heading towards another lockout. Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr better figure this out soon, or poker might once again rise to television glory. Seriously though, if there’s no Canadiens hockey keeping people busy a couple of nights a week in Montreal, Montrealers might just take to the streets…