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After the unprecedented stop-start nature of 2020, sports fans all over the world would have thoroughly enjoyed this exceedingly busy year. With postponed sporting events from last year — like the Olympics and Euro 2020 — cramming up our calendars and spectators allowed to return to stadiums, racecourses and venues in full capacity up and down the country, it has been a huge sigh of relief for sport-lovers after a strange period of watching events take place behind closed doors.
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Of course, to celebrate a jam-packed 12 months of constant sporting action we have Sports Personality of the Year! As the SPOTY betting predicted, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton pipped Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and horse racing phenomenon Hollie Doyle to the award last year as he won the F1 world title for a record-equalling seventh time and SPOTY 2021 will be just as hotly contested.
That said, we have put together this guide of everything you need to know about this year’s awards ceremony. Read on to find out more!
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When and where is SPOTY taking place?
Familiar faces in the form of Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan, Clare Balding and Alex Scott will take centre stage at Salford’s MediaCity to host the 68th annual Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY 2021) awards on December 19th, which will be broadcast on BBC 1.
Who is the favourite to win this year’s award?
While the official SPOTY 2021 nominations aren’t public knowledge at the time of writing, it is no surprise that tennis sensation Emma Raducanu is being heavily tipped to take home the award. The 19-year-old hit the headlines at Wimbledon when she went on a run to the fourth round before being forced to retire. But she became an instant global star when she won the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York shortly after.
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With so much happening this year though, she will face fierce competition! Team GB’s Tom Daley is hot on her tail after winning his first gold in Tokyo, while Tyson Fury is also in the running after winning his blockbuster trilogy bout against his old foe Deontay Wilder. Lewis Hamilton is also in with a shot of being named in the top three for the fourth year in a row.
How is the winner decided?
A contingent of 30 British sports journalists was used to determine the nominations. However, after controversy surrounding diversity and an all-male list in 2012, the method was changed and a new panel now comes up with the shortlist by looking at things like sporting achievement and the sportsperson’s impact on society.
The overall winner though is decided by the public. The nominations are usually announced a couple of weeks before the ceremony and telephone and online voting opens on the night once the hosts reveal the lines are now open.
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What other awards are there?
Aside from the main event, there are awards for Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, World Sports Star of the Year, Helen Rollason Award — given for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity — Unsung Hero, Young Unsung Hero, Young Sports Personality of the Year and the Expert Panel Special Award.