Who deserves to be BBC Sports Personality of the Year?
In this era of professional sport, it’s strange that anyone still cares about the Beeb’s Sports Personality of the Year.
It’s also strangely refreshing that the award still exists, even if no one takes it too seriously. It reminds us of the quaintness of much of the BBC’s sports coverage in the 20th century – Sports Personality occupies the same memory bank as A Question of Sport‘s picture board, or the rousing intro to Ski Sunday.
This year’s short-list is the strongest for a long time, coming as it does in a successful Olympic year. Seven gold medallists from Beijing are joined by Lewis Hamilton, Joe Calzaghe and Andy Murray, all of whom had strong years.
Lewis Hamilton is the bookies’ favourite – as he was last year, when he was voted runner-up to Calzaghe – but he may suffer again from the familiar “He’s driving the best car!” perception, which is not only unfair but also wrong (Ferrari had the best car in 2008). Hamilton is also perceived as lacking humility, which you can’t say of our modest Olympians.
However, we’re confident that Hamilton will go one better than last year and be crowned Sports Personality of the Year. With F1 back on the BBC in 2009, that will suit the corporation just fine.
Who gets your vote?
Posted: 3rd, December 2008 | In: Sports Comments (5) | TrackBack | Permalink
