The shortlist for this year’s Sports Personality of the Year has been released.
Unsurprisingly, 11 of the nominees are Olympians and the decision-making panel extended the shortlist from 10 to 12 to accommodate for the impressive sporting achievements accomplished this year. Carl Doran, executive editor of this year’s Sports Personality, revealed that “some of the names who just missed out could probably have won the award in previous years.”
In the running we have cyclist Bradley Wiggins who earlier this year won the Tour de France, the first ever Brit to achieve this. He also won gold in the Games, becoming the most decorated Olympian in British history.
Athlete Mo Farah won two gold medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m track events. He currently holds the titles of Olympic, world and European champion in the 5,000m distance, surely making him the king of long distance running. Fellow heptathlete Jessica Ennis also won gold despite the pressures placed on her after becoming the face of London 2012. Paralympian David Weir won four gold medals for Team GB to add to his collection of 10.
Tennis player Andy Murray made it to the final of Wimbledon but sadly lost to Roger Federer. With the Olympics in sight he held his own and brought back the gold medal, again facing the Swiss champion in the final.
Sir Chris Hoy won two gold medals in London, surpassing Steve Redgrave’s accolade to become our greatest ever Olympian. He now has seven medals, six of them gold. He led Team GB to victory, even waving the Union Jack as they entered the Olympic Stadium. He won SPOTY in 2008 and so, while his achievements have been great this year , it’s unlikely he will win again.
There are yet more contenders to consider such as Nicola Adams, the first ever female boxing champion; powerhouse swimmer Ellie Simmonds; the double achiever Sarah Storey (who has won medals for both cycling and swimming disciplines); rower Katherine Grainger who finally reached her dream of a gold medal after previously attaining silver; four-time sailing gold medallist Ben Ainslie and golfer Rory McIlroy who won the PGA Championship by a record eight shots and is currently the world number one.
A Daily Telegraph poll pitted Bradley Wiggins with 52% of the vote, nearly double his nearest contender, Andy Murray.
It would be special for David Weir to be recognised for his fantastic achievements over the years, but my money is on Wiggins. After an amazing year of dedicated cycling and record-breaking he will surely be the audience’s winner.
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