BBC Sports Personality Shortlist

[Maximo Mark]

Joe Calzaghe - Undisputed world super-middleweight boxing champion.

Lewis Hamilton - World championship runner-up in his rookie Formula One season.

Ricky Hatton - Fights Floyd Mayweather for WBC world title on eve of show.

Andy Murray - Broke into the world top 10 despite an injury that ruled him out of Wimbledon.

Christine Ohuruogu - Returned from one-year ban for missing three drugs tests to land world 400m title in Osaka.

Paula Radcliffe - Won the New York Marathon just 10 months after giving birth to a baby daughter.

Jason Robinson - Retired after playing key part in England making the Rugby World Cup final.

Justin Rose - Captured golf's European Order of Merit title.

James Toseland - Claimed the World Superbikes Championship for the second time.

Jonny Wilkinson - Shrugged off injury to help England to Rugby World Cup final.

[Panda]

Seems a bit thin on people who've actually won anything this year.

I think the winner will depend on whether Hatton beats Mayweather next weekend. If Hatton wins, I think he'll win the award. If not, Lewis Hamilton will win.

[Razzle Dazzle]

yeah i would agree with mr h

[Sauron]

I think Lewis will win

[rubcale]

I voted for Zara Phillips last year.

I know Hamilton wona Grand Prix but when it came down to it he "failed" when it really mattered.

I think this year I would vote for Joe Calzaghe - he is a WINNER.

Agreed though, it's not a very impressive selection.

Much as I'm a tennis fan and supporting AndyM it's a sad reflection that just breaking into the world's top 10 is enough to put you in the running for the award.

[Paul]

rubcale said:

I know Hamilton wona Grand Prix but when it came down to it he "failed" when it really mattered.

He really ought to be remembered for his 4 Grand Prix wins this year, and the fact that he was right on the pace of a double world champion in the same car, rather than a poor judgement call in China and a mechanical problem in Brazil...

[Panda]

Any ideas on who might win the other awards?

COACH OF THE YEAR

TOP TEAM

OVERSEAS SPORTS PERSONALITY

YOUNG PERSONALITY

[wonderwall]

hatton if he beats mayweather

[Panda]

Young Personality nominations:

Thomas Daley: 13-year old diver, youngest national mens platform champion

Paul Drinkhall: 17 years old, Britain's #1 table tennis player

James Harris: 17-year old cricketer, youngest player to score a half-century for Glamorgan when he hit 87 not out against Notts this year.

[Panda]

The overseas award could be Roger Federer... again...

[paulgilb]

Another notable omission from the shortlist is Jamie Murray - who became the first Brit in 20 years to win a Wimbledon title!

Odds from William Hill:

Hamilton 4/11
Hatton 7/2
Calzaghe 5/1
Radcliffe 20/1
Wilkinson 50/1
Ohoruogu 50/1
Rose 50/1
Murray 80/1
Toseland 100/1
Robinson 100/1

[frag]

Radcliffe or Calzaghe for me.

Coach of the Year - is Brian Ashton in with a shout?

Top Team - Arsenal Ladies? ;D

[Panda]

fragolata said:

Radcliffe or Calzaghe for me.

Coach of the Year - is Brian Ashton in with a shout?

Top Team - Arsenal Ladies? ;D

I suppose Ashton does have a chance...

The England women's team might have chance of winning, thanks to the ultra-PC BBC. Scotland's World Cup winning golfers are contenders. My vote would go to the British track cycling squad, who 7 world championship gold medals (including 3 for Victoria Pendleton, who should have been on the shortlist instead of Andy Murray).

[Tom]

Shows what a poor year its been..

Agree with mrh, a two horse race between Hamilton and Hatton.

[o]

Any reason why a runner who missed 3 drugs tests is up for this nomination? Surely if you are missing pre arranged tests, something is up?

[Mart!n]

I think Lewis Hamilton wil get it, its a foregone conclsuion

[Tom]

andy said:

Any reason why a runner who missed 3 drugs tests is up for this nomination? Surely if you are missing pre arranged tests, something is up?

Because she won a gold medal perhaps this year?

Not going into this debate because i'm fed of reading or hearing about it, but she's not been found to be taking drugs. The fact that she missed drugs tests in the past, however stupid she may have been (and on the day of the 3rd missed test she had to change her plans at the last minute through no fault of her own) should be left in the past.

[Panda]

andy said:

Any reason why a runner who missed 3 drugs tests is up for this nomination? Surely if you are missing pre arranged tests, something is up?

They weren't pre-arranged tests. British athletes have to set aside "slots" each week where they can be available for random tests. I would imagine it can be quite difficult at times to make sure you are where you say you're going to be, week in, week out. Nearly every British athlete in the current squad has probably missed one at some point.

Ohuruogu's missed tests were over the course of about a year, rather than consecutive. She passed all the drug tests she took during that time, in between the missed ones, as well as all the tests since.

[o]

Ok, no worries then.

[Robin]

I think Hamilton's achievements are exceptional, and the fact he didn't win the drivers world championship isn't that important as he more than exceeded expectations. It's more about the impact he made and what he has done for F1 that matters. He must win IMO.