The shortlist for this year’s Sports Personality of the Year is in, with the winner to be decided by a phone and text vote on Sunday night, live during the programme.
First things first: David Walliams isn’t on the list. It was thought that he might make it for his charity swim across the English Channel. Whilst this was a fine achievement and raised lots of money for charity, it was not “sports” in the same way that me finishing the London Marathon (not for some years) or the Great North Run (never) should be considered sport. If I’d won a competition (and winning one of those races would count), then I might be in with a shot. But like sailing, walking or cycling around the world, it’s just an achievement to be proud of.
But back to the shortlist. Here are the entrants and my thoughts:
Jenson Button (Formula One) – won his first Grand Prix this year, which is awfully nice for him, but I think we should wait until he’s won the Drivers’ Championship before getting it
Joe Calzaghe (Boxing) – he might be in with a shout with two belts, were it not for the fact that nobody really watches championship boxing anymore because it’s not on mainstream TV
Darren Clarke (Golf) – yes he was part of a winning Ryder Cup team, but other team members did better on the European Order of Merit. No, if Clarke won, it’d be a sympathy vote since he lost his wife to cancer – a tragedy certainly, but not something that should really come into his winning sports personality of the year. He’s odds on favourite which actually really annoys me.
Nicole Cooke – (Cycling) – my choice of winner. Nicole has had a spectacular year winning the World Cup with a race to spare, and also La Grand Boucle (the women’s Tour de France), as well as many others. I seriously doubt that she will win because so few people know who she is or what she’s achieved.
Ricky Hatton – (Boxing) – lots of stepping up and down divisions to take and lose belts. I’d imagine that he’ll split the boxing vote, so I can’t see him winning, and in any case, others are more deserving.
Andy Murray – (Tennis) – a great future bet for British tennis, but remind me again what he won this year? A single ATP tour event. Not to be sniffed at, but if he can win Wimbledon then the award is his.
Monty Panesar – (Cricket) – a fine cricketer; matchwinning even. It’s a shame that he hasn’t been selected for either of the first Ashes tests. If he manages to demolish the Australian attack, then he can go up for consideration, but as things stand he’s a promising newcomer for whom the future is beckoning.
Zara Phillips – (Equestrianism) – well we all know her mum won the competition in 1971, but is that enough? She’s undoubtedly outstanding at her sport, and deserves consideration. But like motor racing, you get the feeling that the rider or driver is only part of the “package” (I hate that word in F1). Second favourite to Clarke.
Phil Taylor – (Darts) – an outstanding darts player (thrower?), but the problem for me comes from the fact that he plays in a split sport. The PDC has some very strong players, but there are all the rest that are in the BDO. Until there’s a unified competition, it’s hard to be certain of his achievement. This year’s PDC final was incredibly one-sided anyway, with Taylor winning 7-0.
Beth Tweddle – (Gymnastics) – our finest gymnast for years, and has won golds in both the World and European championships this year. I guess she could win in other events, aside from the uneven bars, but her achievement is not to be knocked and she should be a strong contender.
So I’d say that the winner should come from Nicole Cooke, Beth Tweddle and Zara Phillips. But the latest Ladbrokes betting is as follows:
Darren Clarke 1/5
Zara Phillips 10/3
Joe Calzaghe 16/1
Nicole Cook 25/1
Monty Panesar 30/1
Andrew Murray 33/1
Beth Tweddle 33/1
Phil Taylor 50/1
Jenson Button 66/1
Ricky Hatton 100/1
Long odds for anyone other than Darren Clarke and Zara Phillips. Perhaps the BBC should use a system that works something like Strictly Come Dancing, and only let the public part of the vote count towards half the marks. Then have a BBC Sport editorial team make up the other half of the points. That’d ensure that minor sports would get a fair shout, and sympathy votes would count less. Obviously, I’m making the judgment that a BBC Sport editorial team would be less prone to human interest stories, but there’s a place for them in the Unsung Hero award.