It is Sports Personality of the Year night tonight. I always remember this night was one of the highlights of the sporting year, but it does seem to have diminished in importance and value in recent years. Personally, I think that it lost a bit of credibility when the BBC tugged their forelock and gave the award to Zara Phillips a few years ago.
Nevertheless, it’s still an important showpiece for the best in sport of the year. This year, of the shortlist, surely it has to be between Andrew Strauss and Jenson Button. Strauss would surely be long odds-on if the English Cricket establishment hadn’t sold their soul to Sky and dramatically reduced the number of viewers for the Ashes this year. Of course, Ryan Giggs will get plenty of votes from glory seekers in the Home Counties, but I’m far from convinced that he would be a worthy winner.
What has astonished me is the names that are missing from the short list. Phil Taylor has taken darts to a new level this year. Winning EVERY major tournament and sweeping aside all in front of him. It seems odd that he doesn’t make the shortlist, while Andy Murray who failed to make the final of a single Grand Slam does. Maybe darts is a little too popular, a little too Northern and a little too working class for a toffee nosed Southern establishment. But Phil Taylor would be towards the top of my list. And what about the genius that is Tony McCoy? He has dominated his sport in an incredible way for over a decade but still no proper recognition from the Beeb.
Sports Personality of the Year seems geared to the few sports that the Beeb still has broadcasting rights too. Having said that, hopefully next year England’s World Cup stars will be winners by acclamation after a successful tournament in South Africa!
UPDATE - Ryan Giggs is a truly silly winner. As I said above, "Of course, Ryan Giggs will get plenty of votes from glory seekers in the Home Counties, but I’m far from convinced that he would be a worthy winner. "
Where to find me now
3 months ago
Have been saying this for weeks!
ReplyDeleteJenson Button is a great sportsman, but he's probably going to win because F1 is on the BBC and was able to go on Jonathan Ross on Friday and be charming and attractive.
Mark Cavendish is Britain's most succesful Tour de France cyclist EVER, yes EVER. Yet he didnt win last year, and wont this year. Why? He's not on the BBC!
Sir,
ReplyDeleteI must echo some of the comments made above. In particular, Mark Cavendish should be a shoo-in for the award with his outstanding achievements in the Tour de France this year.
I would however suggest that Jensen Button's inclusion makes a mockery of the awards ceremony. His credentials as a personality are slight, but more importantly he is not in any sense a sportsman. Success in Motor Racing in recent years and this season in particular, has been almost entirely linked to the performance of the car, not the driver. Consequently it is not a sport.
Thankfully there are no golfers on the list so I don't have to include another diatribe about why it is not a sport, merely a leisure pursuit played for all the wrong reasons.
Cavendish should have sailed home, World's most successful cyclist for all of 2009 by quite some margin. (20 odd wins) He's also got a personality.
ReplyDeleteCan both of those things be said about any other nominee that they were the best in the world throughout the year in their field?
Jenson Button? Don't make me laugh it was the car and Tom Daley? Closest but one major victory against a depleted field. Phil Taylor? Yes sure, BBC politics I think. Also, glaring ommission: Alastair Brownlee,Leeds, 21 year old World's No.1 Triathlete?????