The excitement is building as the shortlist for the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year has just been unveiled. Fans are eager to weigh in on who's most deserving of the coveted title, set to be announced during the live ceremony on December 17. This year’s competition is fierce, featuring six stand-out nominees from various sports disciplines: footballer Jude Bellingham, runner Keely Hodgkinson, darts player Luke Littler, cricketer Joe Root, Para-cyclist Sarah Storey, and triathlete Alex Yee.
Jude Bellingham, only 21, has made headlines with his impressive debut season at Real Madrid. Known for his extraordinary talent, Bellingham contributed 23 goals across all competitions to help his team clinch both La Liga and the Champions League titles. He also lit up the Euro 2024 with brilliant performances, scoring pivotal goals and thrilling fans along the way.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Keely Hodgkinson stole the spotlight at the Paris Olympics, where she secured gold in the 800m event, ending her long wait for major international success. Her remarkable victory not only marked Team GB’s first Olympic track title since 2016 but made her one of the ten British women to achieve Olympic gold in athletics. Hodgkinson, whose year also included retaining her European title, holds the title of the sixth fastest woman ever in her discipline. Can she maintain this momentum and capture the Sports Personality of the Year award?
Luke Littler's fairy tale continues to astonish. At just 17 years old, he became the youngest player to reach the PDC World Championship final earlier this year, achieving more milestones by winning ten major trophies, including the Premier League Darts. His remarkable run has captivated the darts community, and many fans see him as the future star of the sport.
Joe Root’s contributions to cricket cannot be overlooked. The 33-year-old has had a record-breaking year, becoming England's leading Test run-scorer and surpassing the legendary Sir Alastair Cook's longstanding record. With his career-best score of 262 against Pakistan, Root has proven time and again why he stands as one of the pillars of English cricket.
Not to be overshadowed, Sarah Storey continues to cement her legacy as Britain's most decorated Paralympian. At 47, she added to her astonishing medal count this year, winning two more golds at the Paris Paralympics, alongside securing titles at the Road and Para-cycling World Championships. Her story is not just of remarkable athletic prowess but also dedication and resilience.
Alex Yee rounds out the contenders. The triathlon ace had quite the year, achieving both Olympic and world championship titles. His incredible comeback to clinch gold at the Paris Olympics captured the essence of fierce competition, as he triumphed over New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde.
Voting for the main award will occur during the live broadcast on BBC One and on iPlayer, allowing fans across the UK to cast their votes for their favorite athlete directly. Other awards at this year's ceremony include Young Sports Personality of the Year, Team and Coach of the Year, and the Unsung Hero award, among others.
The build-up to the award night is palpable, with BBC Sport director, Alex Kay-Jelski, commenting on the outstanding achievements of the nominees. "It’s a fantastic shortlist. All six have kept us on the edge of our seats this year, showing us how sensational they are. I’m looking forward to reliving each of their successes on the night and finding out who audiences want to be crowned BBC Sport Personality of the Year 2024."
With the event fast approaching, fans are buzzing with discussions about who will take home one of the most prestigious accolades the sporting world has to offer. Will it be the prodigious talent of Jude Bellingham, the resilient champion Keely Hodgkinson, the youthful energy of Luke Littler, the record-breaking Joe Root, the inspirational Sarah Storey, or the indomitable Alex Yee? Only time will tell.