It’s the time of year when everyone takes stock, looks back on the sporting year, hands out prizes (some more pointless than others) and then waits for the inevitable criticism from those who picked up the gong. It’s as much a part of December as hangovers and family fights.
This year is no different. But when it comes to BBC Sports Personality of the Year, we can expect a little more criticism than usual due to the rather disappointing list of nominees. In fact, the jibes have already begun. Hey ho, like I said, it’s tradition…
The six contenders are Maria Earps, Stuart Broad, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Frankie Dettori, Alfie Hewett, Rory McIlroy And Josh Kerr. Oh, wait a minute, Kerr, who won the World Championship gold in the 1500 meters this summer, has, for some unknown, remarkable reason, only a JFK-style-conspiracy-theory-can-explain-it-reason the list of six nominees. There are no grassy knolls at the BBC’s Media City in Salford (where tonight’s party is taking place), but the viewing public are once again left to question the validity of an award that leaves a leading contender out of the list of six possible winners .
But that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? The thing about sports is that there is a truth and democracy to it. The fastest man or woman wins the gold; the team that scores the most goals wins the match; the side that takes 20 wickets wins the Test. When it comes to awards like this, it’s all about personal opinion and veers into the realm of a popularity contest.
Personally, I think rewards should be for people 18 or younger. Once you reach adulthood, they are simply for those who are narcissistic or needy enough to demand the admiration that another gong gives you. Those who really love an award and think they are hugely important, besides the medals earned on the sports field, are the equivalent of your annoying friends who always post on social media – a little too attention-seeking.
Either way, people love an award and tonight it’s always a talking point (although it’s more about the BBC and BBC Sport results than the actual winner…) and we’ll get to see all the action and winners during the annual look back to the sports year.
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