BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011 shortlist announced

November 28, 2011   ·   0 Comments

The BBC have announced a shortlist of 10 of the UK’s top sports stars who have been nominated for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The shortlist (in alphabetical order) is: Mark Cavendish (cycling), Darren Clarke (golf), Alastair Cook (cricket), Luke Donald (golf), Mo Farah (athletics), Dai Greene (athletics), Amir Khan (boxing), Rory McIlroy (golf), Andy Murray (tennis), Andrew Strauss (cricket).

These ten sports stars will now compete for the public vote on the night of the live show at MediaCityUK, Salford, which is presented by Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Jake Humphrey on BBC One on Thursday 22 December, 8-10pm.

The public will be able to vote for their BBC Sports Personality of the Year by telephone; details of the numbers to vote on will be given out during the programme.

In addition to the main award of Sports Personality of the Year there will also be awards for:

• Team of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Overseas Sports Personality of the Year
• Young Sports Personality of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement
• Helen Rollason Award
• Sports Unsung Hero

The nominees

Mark Cavendish (Cycling) – Became the first British winner of the green jersey at the Tour de France after five stage victories, taking his overall tally up to 20. The Manx cyclist was also crowned road race world champion after an amazing performance in Denmark.

Darren Clarke (Golf) – the 43-year-old clinched his maiden major title this year, winning the Open Championship with a score of five-under par. Clarke’s success was even sweeter for him as he lifted the famous Claret Jug on his 20th attempt.

Alastair Cook (Cricket) – Was named man of the series in England’s Ashes winning side, who also went on to become the world’s best Test team. Cook was appointed international one-day captain and has scored over 1000 Test runs for his country since last Christmas.

Luke Donald (Golf) – This year Donald beat Lee Westwood in a play-off to win the PGA Championship at Wentworth and overtake his countryman to become the world’s number one golfer. Luke also clinched the PGA Tour money list title this year, which was capped off with an impressive victory at the Disney Classic in Florida.

Mo Farah (Athletics) – After last year’s success at the European Championships, Farah went on to pick up gold in the 5,000m and silver in the 10,000m at this year’s World Athletics Championships in Daegu. Also, his success in the 5,000m made him the first British athlete to win a global gold medal in that event.

Dai Greene (Athletics) – the Welshman delivered Britain’s first gold at the World Athletics Championships, after a remarkable performance in the 400m hurdles final. Dai can now add a world title to the European and Commonwealth medals he picked up in 2010.

Amir Khan (Boxing) – Bolton’s Amir Khan impressed the boxing world with a superb fifth-round victory over experienced fighter Zab Judah in Las Vegas this year. He will be fighting again before the awards, this time against America’s Lamont Peterson. Amir has gone eight fights undefeated and hopes to make it nine in December to retain his light-welterweight WBA and IBF world titles.

Rory McIlroy (Golf) – The Northern Irishman enjoyed a brilliant 2011 by bringing home his first major title with a record breaking eight-shot victory at the US Open. It came only months after he nearly won the US Masters, where he led for three rounds.

Andy Murray (Tennis) – Andy has had some great results in the Grand Slams this year, reaching the final of the Australian Open, as well as the semis at the French Open, US Open and Wimbledon. At one stage he rose to third in the world rankings, ahead of Roger Federer.

Andrew Strauss (Cricket) – led the England team to a fantastic Ashes win in Australia and also captained them during the historic series victory against India. Strauss’ England stunned many with a 4-0 series whitewash over the Indians, which confirmed them as the number one Test team in the world.

Who do you think should win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011 ? Any notable absence amongst the nominees, are they all worthy winners ? – Tell us in the comments box below. 

Tags: Amir Khan, Andrew Strauss, Andy Murray, BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011, Gary Lineker, Jake Humphrey, Mark Cavendish, MediaCity, Salford