The BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) 2024 ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 December, at MediaCityUK in Salford. This annual event honours outstanding British sportspeople for their achievements over the past year. Let’s take a look into this year’s event:
The High Standards of SPOTY
This year’s SPOTY shortlist highlights the exceptional achievements of British athletes, but the intense competition means many outstanding individuals and sports have been left out. The omissions reflect the remarkably high standards required to secure a nomination.
For instance, none of the current best rugby players have been able to repeat Jonny Wilkinson’s feat in 2003. Tennis, a frequent SPOTY feature due to stars like Andy Murray, is also unrepresented this year. Boxing fans were in shock as Daniel Dubois was looked over and veteran cyclist Mark Cavendish also missed out despite his lasting impact.
These exclusions underscore the depth of British sporting talent, where even world-class achievements face stiff competition, highlighting the extraordinary standards celebrated by SPOTY.
The Nominees for 2024
The shortlist for this year’s award comprises six exceptional athletes:
- Jude Bellingham (Football): The 21-year-old midfielder had a stellar season with Real Madrid, contributing significantly to their La Liga and Champions League victories. Bellingham recorded 23 goals and 13 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
- Keely Hodgkinson (Athletics): At 22, Hodgkinson secured gold in the 800m at the Paris Olympics, marking Team GB’s first Olympic track title since 2016. She also retained her 800m title at the European Championships, underscoring her dominance in middle-distance running.
- Luke Littler (Darts): The 17-year-old prodigy reached the PDC World Championship final and claimed ten trophies, including the Premier League Darts and the Grand Slam of Darts, making him one of the sport’s brightest emerging talents.
- Joe Root (Cricket): The former England Test captain continued to excel, contributing significantly with the bat and providing experienced leadership, reinforcing his status as one of cricket’s premier batsmen.
- Dame Sarah Storey (Para-Cycling): Britain’s most decorated Paralympian added to her impressive medal tally, showcasing exceptional performance and dedication to her sport.
- Alex Yee (Triathlon): Yee achieved both Olympic and World Championship titles, in addition to contributing to Great Britain’s bronze in the mixed relay, highlighting his versatility and endurance.
Conclusion
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 is set to be a dazzling showcase of British sporting brilliance. With the nation waiting on tenterhooks (or perhaps just their sofas), the big question is: who will walk away with the trophy? Whoever takes the crown, one thing’s for sure – the bar for British sport just keeps getting higher.
