Haye for BBC Sports Personality of the Year?
A New British Heavyweight Champion May Influence The Public Vote
Nov 3, 2009
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year is awarded to the sportsman or woman deemed to have contributed the most in the eyes of the British public. Victory for the Londoner - particularly in a manner which captures the publics' hearts - could see him snatch the prize. Televised live on terrestrial TV in the UK, this year's event takes place on December 13 at the Sheffield Arena.
Button Expected To Land Award
Of course, new F1 world champion Jenson Button is hot favourite although there’s usually a campaign for alternative winners in the lead-up to the event, with the winner decided by phone vote. Footballer James McFadden was apparently in the running after scoring Scotland’s winner in their shock European Championship qualifying victory over France in 2007.
Hamilton Failure Could Offer Chance
Last year’s F1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton failed to land the prize despite taking his maiden championship, finishing runner-up for a second successive year. His fifth-place finish in the F1 standings this time around will ensure he is out of the running time. Success for Button would be the first time a British grand prix driver has won the top award since Damon Hill in 1996.
Froch And Khan May Be In The Hunt
The top three will probably involve Button and two others, with a host of names in the hunt. Ashes-winning England cricket captain Andrew Strauss, Andy Murray – in late November tennis action in the ATP world finals in London – super-middleweight boxing champion Carl Froch and current holder of the award cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, a recent winner of gold medals in the British National Championships in Manchester. Boxer Amir Khan will also be involved in world-title action the weekend before the awards, so could be worth looking out for.
A Female Winner Looks Unlikely
Athletes usually perform strongly and second favourite Jessica Ennis, the world heptathlon champion, will lead the female challenge with the much underrated Beth Tweddle – a third-place finisher in 2006 – also worthy of a mention for a top-three chance following her stunning victory on the floor at the recently-held world championships in London.
Lack Of Television Exposure May Harm Froch
Darts legend Phil Taylor has enjoyed unprecedented success – even by his standards – this calendar year, winning every major title on offer in the sport although his mainstream popularity, like that of Froch and other high-profile boxers, will always suffer due to his best work being televised elsewhere. In a different era on terrestrial television.
Giggs Earning Online Support
Other contenders likely to attract the sympathy votes include PFA Player of the Year Ryan Giggs, with some media voices, a Facebook campaign and Twitter users being active in supporting the Manchester United legend. There’s also support for cricket all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who won the gong the last time England won the Ashes, in 2005.
Other Sportsmen Who Have Excelled In 2009
Mention too should also go to triple jump world champion Phillips Idowu – his predecessor Jonathan Edwards won it in 1995 – cyclist Mark Cavendish, fourth in this year's Tour de France, and diving prospect Tom Daley, who won an unexpected first 10m platform world championship title earlier this year.
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