The BBC Sports Personality of the Year takes place on December 13th, and the shortlist of 10 looks to be one of the strongest for years. It will be down to the public to take a vote on Sunday evening as to who is in tge favour of the UK public at the end of year showcase, which celebrates the best of British sports. Olympic Cyclist Chris Hoy won last year’s main event, which is awarded to the person whose actions have best captured the public’s imagination. Names such as Steve Cram, Linford Christie, Steve Redgrave, Jonny Wilkinson, Kelly Holmes, Zara Phillips and Andrew Flintoff are all on the honour roll, and this year sees 10 new names vying to join the list.
The nominees are:
Ryan Giggs
The Manchester United winger has seemingly found a new lease of life at the ripe old age of 36, and he continues to prove his value to the English Champions. Incidentally, Giggs is the most decorated footballer in the history of English football, and it wasn’t until earlier this year, his play was rewarded by receiving the PFA Player of the Year for the first time. All of his professional honours have come with Manchester United, after being an apprentice at Manchester City. Last season’s title saw Giggs win his 11th Premier League winners medal. Not since 2005 has there been a footballer in the final 10 for the Sports Personality of the Year.
Ryan Giggs to win: 5/2 at Paddy Power
Jenson Button
Coming from nowhere, Jenson Button won the Drivers World Champions in Formula One this season. He completely blitzed the beginning of the season, driving for BAR Honda. Despite hitting a sticky patch in the middle of the season, some composed driving still got him the title even if the wins were not so forthcoming. Button adds his name to a long line of British drivers who have won the top prize in racing driving. The F1 driver is clear favourite to win the Sports Personality of the Year for 2009 on the back of his achievement.
Jenson Button to win: Evens at BetFred
Mark Cavendish
Another Great British cyclist up for an award. The British Cycling team won the team event last year, and Cavendish continues to represent the standing of the British cyclists in the world. Cavendish made a fantastic appearance in the Tour de France this season, where he won a total of six stages, including becoming the first British Cyclist to win the Champs-Elysees stage. Winning many races through the season, Cavendish has also made his mark on track racing too.
Mark Cavendish to win: 33/1 at SkyBet
Tom Daley
The youngest person in the running for the Sports Personality of the Year. At the tender age of just 15, Daley was becoming a World Champion diver in Rome, beating the then defending World Champion. He looks to have an amazing future ahead of him in the sport, after finishing in the top ten in two events at the Beijing Olympics. Tom Daley won the Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2007 and his popularity could see him pinch the exclusive double, by winning the full award.
Tom Daley to win: 125/1 at Boylesports
Jessica Ennis
Another World Champion athlete. Competing in the heptathlon is somewhere near the pinnacle of women’s sporting achievements, as it requires rounded and honed skills in seven Olympic sports. The heptathlon comprises of the 100m hurdles, 200m sprint, 800m, long jump, high jump, shot putt and javelin. Although she missed out on the Beijing Olympics because of an injury, she roared back into action to take gold at the World Athletics Championships. Ennis represents excellent gold medal hopes for the London Olympics, looking to forge a career as successful as fellow Brit, Denise Lewis in the event.
Jessica Ennis to win: 6/1 at 888Sport
Phillips Idowu
Look, another World Champion athlete. The triple jumper, like Jessica Ennis, leapt his way to glory in the World Athletic Championships as well. He set his personal best and destroyed an experienced and talented field. The colourful character, who likes red hair and piercing, narrowly missed out on gold at the Beijing Olympics, but showed his level of progression and development in becoming the World Champion in the event. One other British triple jumper has won the Sports Personality of the Year, and that was Jonathan Edwards.
Phillips Idowu to win: 250/1 at Sporting Bet
David Haye
Britain has a proud history of boxing, and David Haye bookmarked his place in it this year, by becoming Heavyweight Champion of the World. Having recently beaten the enormous, towering Nikolai Valuev on points, the “Haymaker” put on a fine display of his technical ability and crafts in order to realise his dream. Already having become World Champion at Cruiserweight a couple of years ago, Haye took his profession to the next level, stepping up to the glory stage of Heavyweight, and becoming Britain’s 6th champion in the field.
David Haye to win: 20/1 at Bet365
Beth Tweddle
Yes, Britain has a World Champion gymnast. Tweddle stunned home crowds to win at the World Championships, coming back after a fall. She stunned crowds and judges with a spectacular floor performance, adding another title to the double gold she had already won at the World University Games. This is not the first time she has been in the running for Sports Personality of the Year, as she finished in third place in 2006. With all of her achievements, this could be her year.
Beth Tweddle to win: 66/1 at Boylesports
Andrew Strauss
England’s cricket captain led his troops to victory in the Ashes over Australia in the summer. England managed to reclaim the Ashes from their great foes, despite not having the formidable presences of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen for the full series. As well as being captain, Strauss has been one of, if not the most consistent England player in both Test Matches and One Day Internationals. He has seen his side struggle at times, but the personable man keeps going, trying to do his best for country. Through all of his service, he would be a deserving winner of Sports Personality of the Year.
Andrew Strauss to win: 33/1 at Bet365
Andy Murray
Britain’s next great tennis hope. Murray added six titles to his repertoire this season, with two of them being majors. This shows a great step up for the Scot, whom his peers seriously fear as a potential threat going into any tournament, and has nearly reached number one in the world rankings. Murray comfortably finished in the top eight highest earning players on the ATP this year, but British tennis fans will still be hoping that he can win at Wimbledon at some point during his career. He has only made it to the final of one grand slam, but there are a lot of positives ahead for young Murray. In 2004, he won the Young Sports Personality of the Year.
Andy Murray to win: 200/1 at Ladbrokes
The show is broadcast live on Sunday night from the Sheffield Arena, where viewers can place their votes for their favourite British athlete of the year. It will round off another wonderful year of sport for Britain, and awards in other categories which will be handed out will include the Young Personality of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year and Lifetime Achievement.
