Key events
Jessica Gadirova wins the Young Spoty award
Ellie Simmonds, the former Paralympic swimmer, announces the first winner of the evening and it’s… Gadirova! “Thank you to my support team, my coaches, British Gymnastics and my friends and family,” she says. “It goes to you, I couldn’t have achieved this without you and you mean the world to me.”
Gadirova is next out. “I gave it my all, I blocked it all, I focused on myself and tried to put in the best performance for Great Britain, one that everyone remembers,” he said. she told Logan, when asked about his ground gold.
There’s a tribute to Eddie Butler, the former international broadcaster and legendary Wales rugby union player whose melodic baritone has become intrinsically associated with the Six Nations in particular. He died in September, at the age of 65.
It’s time for a montage of the beautiful game. The proof is in the pudding, and the pudding, in this case… is a soccer ball.
O’Sullivan is next. He speaks to Lineker via video link from Dubai, where he is on vacation. “I love sports, I love competition and if you love what you do, you can’t wait to get up in the morning and do it,” he says. There is a pause. “By the way, how are you Gary, okay?”
Muirhead is the first to speak with the presenters, after a montage featuring family members talking about his dedication to curling. “After qualifying for Beijing we did it the hard way, but I think as an individual and as a team we learned a ton there… before we knew it we were at the top of this podium with our medals.”
In addition to the main prize, Young Sports Personality of the Year, Team and Coach of the Year, Unsung Hero and the Helen Rollason Award will also be presented tonight. The Young Spoty contenders are Gadirova – again – Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, the diver, and Sky Brown, the skateboarder.
Spoty is officially underway. Sit back, relax and enjoy the montages.
We have our first correspondence, from Adrian Fowell via email. “64% of YouGov poll respondents don’t know [who should win]. Doesn’t that mean everything? Shrug.” Put Adrian as ab).
Stokes will miss the ceremony with a stomach bug
Clare Stokes, wife of Ben Stokes, posted a photo of him on Instagram wrapped in a blanket and looking a little bad. “Everything ready for #spoty here! Except @stokesy came home with a bug in his stomach,” the caption read.
Are there any fans of the democratic process reading this blog? Well, you’re in luck, because you can vote for the winner on tonight’s show, either online or over the phone. That’s how Spoty works, in case anyone needs a reminder. They will announce the details once the program is launched at 6:45 p.m. (GMT).
In case you’re interested, tonight’s presenters are Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott. This is the 69th edition of Spoty, which debuted in 1954.
A word for O’Sullivan, the oldest competitor at 47 years old. He won his seventh World Snooker Championship in May, beating Judd Trump 18-13 to equal Stephen Hendry’s modern-era record. His first world title came back in 2001, 21 years before his last triumph. It was his record-breaking 39th ranked title and he had a record-breaking 74 Crucible wins.
To give him all the credit, while Mead scored the most goals at Euro 2022 alongside Popp, she finished as the tournament’s top scorer thanks to her five assists. She has also been on fire with Arsenal in the Women’s Super League this year, although her season has been badly disrupted. due to a serious knee injury.
Who answered b), then? Here’s a poll from YouGov that should add fuel to the fire. Aside from the 64% who don’t know who should win Spoty, Mead has a narrow lead over Stokes with the UK public. Wightman is the leftmost pick.
Who should win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022? Brits think Lionesses striker Beth Mead is coming home
Beth Mead: 12%
Ben Stokes: 10%
Ronnie O’Sullivan: 6%
Eve Muirhead: 4%
Jessica Gadrova: 2%
Jack Wightman: 1%
Don’t know: 64%https://t.co/dj0txElYHW pic.twitter.com/L8BadUyNUH— YouGov (@YouGov) December 21, 2022
Preamble
It’s that time of year again, isn’t it? Where we’re all arguing over the Sports Personality of the Year award and whether it’s a) a national institution b) totally useless or c) somewhere in between. “Uh, uh, have you heard of nuance? It’s obviously c)”, is what a smarty-pants might say. This blog is for those who think it’s a) or b), a binary choice without any nuance. Because what is sport, if not to argue massively just for fun?
Among this year’s Spoty contenders, Beth Mead is the big favorite. After winning Euro 2022 with England, scoring a record six goals in the tournament alongside Germany’s Alexandra Popp, few would blame him. Ben Stokes is also in the mix, having revitalized the England cricket team alongside Test coach Brendon McCullum, while helping the white ball team win the T20 World Cup under manager Matthew Mott.
Jessica Gadirova, the gymnast who won gold on floor at the world championshipsEve Muirhead, who led Team GB to curling gold at the Winter Olympics, Jake Wightman, who won gold in the 1500m at the World Athletics Championships, and snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan completes the shortlist. But who will win? Let’s find out.
