A participant performs during the Perfect Pole 2016 pole dance championship in the southern city of Stavropol, Russia, October 22, 2016. (Photo by Eduard Korniyenko/Reuters)

Extraordinary tales of everyday heroism have been illustrated beautifully by renowned US photographer Steve McCurry in the new 2015 Lavazza Calendar. The calendar which has been created in collaboration with the Slow Food movement, features twelve breathtaking pictures, capturing the spirit, strength and humanity of the Earth Defenders – women and men who protect their land and projects in Africa with passion and bravery. The proceeds from sales of the calendar and all donations will be contributed entirely to create 10,000 food gardens in African schools and villages by the end of 2016. (Photo by Steve McCurry/2015 Lavazza Calendar)

Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia perform during Gala exhibition skating program of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Graz, Austria, 26 January 2020. (Photo by Tatyana Zenkovich/EPA/EFE)

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel competes in the Masters Agility Championship Finals competition during the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City, U.S. February 11, 2017. (Photo by Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

Sumo wrestlers in their women's match at the 2021 Russian Sumo Championship at Ak Bars Wrestling Palace in Kazan, Russia on February 14, 2021. There are over 6,000 sumo wrestlers in Russia. (Photo by Yegor Aleyev/TASS)

Athlets cross the water jump in the womens 3000 meter steeplechase race at the Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany during the 2022 European Championships on August 18, 2022. (Photo by Morgan Treacy/INPHO)

A young fan plays a virtual reality game during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, August 29, 2022, in New York. (Photo by Julia Nikhinson/AP Photo)

A boy takes his basset hound for a walk with a difference in Noosa, Australia on Saturday, March 9, 2024, during the annual Surf Dog Championships. (Photo by Roberta Holden/Solent News)