Sporty Sam

These are the sports which provided the top three in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The live programme on BBC 1 on Tuesday night culminated with the announcement of the winner and the two runners-up, based on viewers votes beforehand and on the night.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024

The winner was Keely Hodgkinson, the 22-year-old 800-metre runner from Wigan, Greater Manchester, who burst onto our screens this year when she won gold at the Olympic Games in Paris. Four years earlier she took the silver medal in Tokyo beating the British record set by Kelly Holmes 25 years earlier.

The runner-up was Luke Littler, the teenage darts sensation, who came from nowhere - actually from Warrington, where I lived for a quarter of a century - to take the world of professional darts by storm. He is 16 years old!

In third place was Joe Root, the former England cricket captain who has smashed records left, right and centre since being relieved of the responsibilities of skippering the Test side. Root is an old man, turning 34 at the end of this month.

In her acceptance speech Keely Hodgkinson said:

“This year has been absolutely incredible for me. I’ve achieved everything I’ve set out to do on the outdoor track which is kind of rare so I’m so grateful to be in this position. Thank you everyone that voted at home, I hope you all loved watching Paris as much as I’ve loved competing in it and I wish you all a wonderful evening.”

Keely Hodgkinson

Keely Hodgkinson’s magnificent 2024 culminated in a brilliant 800m gold at the Paris Olympics. She stormed to victory, securing Team GB’s first Olympic track title since Mo Farah’s 5,000m and 10,000m double in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Her flawless performance broke a string of near misses on the global stage and confirmed her status as one of Britain’s greatest ever middle-distance runners. Her win at the Stade de France saw the 22-year-old become only the 10th British woman to win an Olympic track and field gold.

Keely is the first athlete to win Sports Personality since Sir Mo Farah in 2017 and the first female athlete since Dame Kelly Holmes in 2004.

Other Award Winners

The Helen Rollason Award was presented to former champion boxer Dr Mark Prince OBE. After a tough start to life, in which he ended up on the streets and involved in street crime and drugs, he turned his fortunes around through boxing and the discipline it brought him, culminating in a world title fight in 1998.

However, tragedy struck when his 15-year-old son Kiyan, who was an aspiring footballer with QPR, was murdered in 2006. Mark battled through the pain and grief to set up the Kiyan Prince Foundation (KPF) to combat knife crime and inspire young lives through boxing, life coaching, and motivational talks. The KPF has impacted over 100,000 children, gained global recognition with campaigns like “Long Live the Prince”, and was awarded naming rights to QPR’s Loftus Road in 2019. Prince’s incredible resolve through adversity and hardship to achieve so much progress on knife crime following his son’s death is a truly remarkably accomplishment.

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Armand Duplantis was awarded World Sport Star of the Year after the greatest pole vaulter in history enjoyed another record-breaking year. He defended his Olympic title in spectacular style at the Paris Games breaking his own world record, something he managed three times in total in 2024. The man known as “Mondo” also won golds at the World Indoor and European Championships and claimed a fourth consecutive Diamond League title, leaving no doubt about his overwhelming supremacy in the sport.

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Wigan Warriors took home BBC Sport’s Personality’s Team of the Year. In an all-conquering 2024, Wigan Warriors became the first team in the Super League era to complete the quadruple of World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final.

So the town of Wigan picked up two gongs on Tuesday night: Keely Hodgkinson and Wigan Warriors Rugby League team.

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Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows were awarded Coach of the Year. The husband-and-wife pair coached Keely Hodgkinson to her sensational Olympic gold in the 800m. Painter and Meadows also coached Georgia Bell to 800m bronze in Paris, as well as Lewis Davey, who took bronze in the men’s 4x400m relay.

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The BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year was awarded to Luke Littler. Luke shook darts to its core in 2024 with one of the most astonishing breakthrough years the world of sport has ever seen. At just 16-years-old, and ranked a lowly 164th in the world, the prodigy stormed to the PDC World Championship final, smashing records and taking down some of the game’s biggest names along the way. His first major title soon followed at the Premier League of Darts, while his victory at the prestigious Grand Slam of Darts made him just the fourth player in history to win 10 trophies in one season and took his earnings over £1m.

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Jean Paton from Lymington, Hampshire, was the overall winner of the Unsung Hero award. At 90 years old, Jean is one of the most dedicated volunteers of Salterns Sailing Club in Lymington, Hampshire, where she has contributed for nearly 40 years. As an RYA Dinghy Instructor, she has been a cornerstone of the club’s twice-yearly “Moppy Camps,” inspiring generations of young sailors.

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Sir Mark Cavendish received the Lifetime Achievement award. The most successful sprinter cyclist of all time was presented with the award for his incredible career and dedication to cycling.

The 39-year-old legend from the Isle of Man, initially planned to retire in 2023, but postponed his farewell to chase a record-breaking 35th stage win at the Tour de France. In a stunning display of determination and skill, the “Manx Missile” claimed victory on stage five in Saint-Vulbas, securing his place in history as the sole holder of the record. This triumph marked the 165th win of his distinguished career and solidified his reputation as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

He twice won the Tour de France green jersey, awarded to the rider with the most points, and boasts a further 17 stage wins in the Giro d’Italia, three in the Vuelta a Espana and he also claimed the road world title in 2011. On the track he won omnium silver at the 2016 Olympics, three madison world titles and a Commonwealth Games gold for the Isle of Man. He was also honoured with a knighthood earlier this year.

Endpiece

Once again the BBC put on a great evening of sporting entertainment.

In the absence of Gary Lineker, who was dropped pending the end of his contract with the BBC in 2025, the three female presenters Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott, did a great job.

© Sporty Sam

Photos:

BBC

Kerry Spicer

Olympics

The Guardian

Links:

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024

England take on Spain in the Final of Eurocopa 24

Tags:

800m gold, Alex Scott, BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024, Clare Balding, cricket, Gabby Logan, Isle of Man, Joe Root, Keely Hodgkinson, Luke Littler, Mark Cavendish, Mo Farah, Olympic Games in Paris, Paris Olympics, professional darts, Rio de Janeiro, Team GB, Tour de France

Next Tuesday, 17 December, the six nominees for this prestigious accolade will be presented to the viewing public live on BBC1.

The programme will also contain a review of the sporting year, one which has included The Olympic Games in Paris and UEFA European Championship in Germany.

By  Sporty Sam

We know that Christmas is nigh, and not just because of all the Christmas items for sale in the shops, municipal Christmas Trees everywhere and all the Christmas-themed films on the telly.

Tomorrow evening, Saturday 14 December, it’s the grand finale of “Strictly Come Dancing” and next Tuesday, 17 December it’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024. Just over a week after that it’s Christmas Day.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024

The shortlist of six candidates was announced just over a week ago.

Presenters Clare Balding, Gabby Logan, and Alex Scott will guide us through a night packed with highlights from 2024’s most exhilarating sporting moments.

Note the absence of Gary Lineker who has been dropped as lead presenter. His contract with the BBC ends in 2025.

The winner’s name gets called live on the evening, based on viewers having cast their votes in the run-up to this finale and also on the night.

The shortlist

The shortlist was put together by a panel of sporting royalty and top sporting journalists including Dame Laura Kenny, Ade Adepitan, and sports journalists from the Athletic and PA media, alongside the BBC’s own big sporting legends.

But the real decision lies with the fans, based on their votes.

Who’s got what it takes to take home the trophy? Let’s meet the contenders: four men and two women from six different sports.

The nominees are:

Jude Bellingham

The boy wonder taking modern English football to new heights. Jude is English football’s golden boy who lit up the Bernabeu in his debut season with Real Madrid, scoring 23 goals and bagging a Champions League winner’s medal.  

Keely Hodgkinson

The golden girl of the track. After years of heartbreak, Keely finally struck Olympic gold in the 800m, dominating the track and becoming just the 10th British woman to win athletics gold.

Luke Littler

The teenage darts sensation. Just 16 years old, fresh from taking his GCSEs, and this darts prodigy has already taken the PDC World Championship by storm – straight from the classroom to centre stage. With over £1m in winnings and records shattered, he is looking like the future of darts.

Joe Root

Arguably, England’s cricketing GOAT. Former England cricket captain, since being relieved of that responsibility Joe has smashed records left, right, and centre this year, passing Alastair Cook as England’s top Test run-scorer.

Dame Sarah Storey

Paralympic royalty. Three decades on from her first gold, Dame Sarah Storey keeps the medals coming. Her double gold in Paris this year cemented her as Britain’s most decorated Paralympian with a staggering 30 medals.

Alex Yee

The London-born triathlon star who has sprinted into stardom. Alex sprinted into history with Olympic gold and a world title, showing he’s not just fast – he’s unstoppable. His breathtaking finishes have made him the big name to watch in triathlon.

Other awards will be made during the televised broadcast, including

• World Sport Star of the Year
• Young Sports Personality of the Year
• Team of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award

Who will make history?

Last year’s winner, Mary Earps, brought women’s football glory to the BBC podium as a member of the English Lionesses national team. 

In 2024 will it be another footballer? Or will a new star rise to the top? Bookies' favourite is Keely Hodgkinson.

Tune in on December 17 to see who takes the crown!

© Sporty Sam

Acknowledgements:

BBC

Euro Weekly News

Google

Marc Menendez-Roche 

Photos:

20 Minutos

BBC

Evening Standard

La Liga

Olympics

Runner's World

The Independent

Tags:

20 Minutos, Alex Scott, Alex Yee, BBC, BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024, Clare Balding, Dame Sarah Storey, Evening Standard, Gabby Logan, Joe Root, Jude Bellingham, Keely Hodgkinson, La Liga, Luke Littler, Marc Menendez-Roche, Olympic Games in Paris, Paul Whitelock, Runner's World, Sporty Sam, The Independent, UEFA European Championship in Germany

áéíóúü

….. at Goodison Park!

Yesterday, Storm Darragh permitting, Everton FC and Liverpool FC were due to play their last ever football match at Everton’s home ground, Goodison Park. From next season the “Toffees” will play at their new ground, Everton Stadium.

[Image courtesy of Instagram]

Where is the new Everton Stadium?

Everton Stadium is at Bramley-Moore Dock in Vauxhall, Liverpool.  

The Blues new stadium is located on the banks of the River Mersey, on Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront, and has a capacity of 52,888.

The new Everton Stadium [Photo courtesy of Wikipedia]

A brief history of Everton FC

Everton Football Club is a professional association football club based in Liverpool, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. Founded in 1878, the club was a founding member of the Football League in 1888 and was a founding member of the Premier League in 1992, one of just three clubs to have been a founding member of both leagues.

Everton is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in England, having won twenty-four major trophies: nine league titles, five FA Cups, one European Cup Winners' Cup and nine Charity Shields.

    Goodison Park, Liverpool [Photo: Wikipedia]

Sporty Sam and Goodison Park

I worked for ten years for Sefton Council’s Education Department based in Bootle. My role as a school adviser, with responsibility for modern foreign languages (MFL) and European Matters, partly entailed organising events and conferences for pupils and teachers.

Goodison Park was one of my regular choices of venue, as they were geared up for hosting large-scale events. The only equivalent space within Sefton was Aintree Racecourse, but they were more expensive and not always available.                                                                                  

Main Conference Room at Goodison Park [CC Events]

I had a soft spot for Everton and their stadium. Goodison Park worked very well as a conference space, was easy to get to on public transport and had a large free car park for those who needed to drive there.

In 2001 Liverpool was European City of Culture. The UK was still a member state of the European Union back then so was eligible for funding from the Socrates and Comenius programmes. I made a successful bid for some 80,000 pounds which enabled me to run a number of projects to promote Europe with school pupils and students. For some of the events I used Goodison Park.

[Image courtesy of Instagram]

What will happen to Goodison Park after Everton FC leave?

Goodison Park is to be knocked down after Everton relocate to Bramley Moore Dock.

Liverpool Council's planning committee has backed the proposals for a second time.

A report to Liverpool Council's planning committee detailed how the club plans, referred to as the Goodison Park Legacy Project, will transform the 3.39-hectare site into a mixed-use development, including housing, commercial space, community/retail uses and open space.

STOP PRESS: The match was postponed because of adverse weather conditions. A new date will be scheduled in due course.

© Sporty Sam

Acknowledgements:

Bing

BusinessLive

Wikipedia

Photos:

CC Events

Instagram

Wikipedia

www.evertonstadium.com

Tags:

Aintree Racecourse, association football, Bing, Bootle, Bramley Moore Dock, BusinessLive, Charity Shield, Comenius, commercial space, community/retail use, European City of Culture, European Cup Winners' Cup, European Matters, European Union, Everton, Everton Football Club, Everton Stadium, FA Cup, Football League, Goodison Park, Goodison Park Legacy Project, housing, league title, Liverpool, Liverpool Council's planning committee, Merseyside Derby, mixed-use development, MFL, modern foreign languages, open space, Premier League, school adviser, Sefton, Sefton Council’s Education Department, Socrates, Sporty Sam, Storm Darragh, Toffees, Vauxhall, Wikipedia