Every year the BBC hosts the Sports Personality of the Year awards, of which 10 nominees are voted for by a panel of 27 sports editors from national and regional press. The 10 nominees with the most votes form the final contenders for the prestigious award, with the eventual winner being voted for by the public. This year the short-list has been criticised somewhat over the last 24 hours or so, this has been all down to one reason, this years list has no women nominated.
Might I start by saying I think that this is by no means intentional. There was of course many women suggested in the initial votes, and for those interested a full list of the votes can be found here.
There are many very successful, and highly accomplished women that narrowly missed out on the short-list. They range from the obvious names like: Rebecca Adlington, Keri-Anne Payne, Jessica Ennis and Victoria Pendleton, to those that may not be as well know such as 4 time World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington, or World Champion Rower Katherine Grainger, along with the many others nominated. Of course there has also been female winners in the Sports Personality of the Year, Zara Philips, Kelly Holmes and Paula Radcliffe have claimed the prize in the last 10 years.
So why is it no no female made the list this year? I think it would be unreasonable to suggest that women's sport hasn't done well this year, in fact British and Irish women have had one of their most successful years to date.
Looking at the list of nominees it is obvious that women just aren't at the forefront of the sports journalists minds. Why? Well one reason might be because only 2% of media coverage goes to women's sport. This I find pretty appalling given the talent we have here in the UK, and the rising popularity of women's sport, not only in competing, but also as a spectator. It seems that the only reporting on women's sport is that of the high achievers, not the daily hum-drum that can be found in some tabloid sport sections, but the high achievers are being published and written about. As far as Sports Personality of the Year goes, is that not all we want anyway? The cream of the crop?
As mentioned before this is voted for by the sports journalist's, and they have given us a list of ten very deserving individuals (The full list can be found below). Yes this year they are all men, but is there anyone on the list that isn't deserving? I don't think so. Dropping one of them to put a "token" woman in the mix would not be the answer either. Not only would that be frankly insulting to the female sports personality, but would she want to be nominated knowing she hasn't earned it? I'm sure most sports personalities do what they do because they want to be best they can be in their field, and to win medals / trophies, not to win a Sports Personality Award.
One things for sure, the BBC will recognise all achievements in UK sport over the last year, including women's and team sport. One things for sure, women's sport needs more coverage in all media forms. How this will be achieved I do not know, and I'm sure recent budget cuts due to the current financial climate certainly won't be helping.
The Sports Personality of the Year will be broadcast live on BBC One on the 22nd of Decemeber at 2000 GMT. Tune in to vote for your winner.
The Final 10 Contenders in alphabetical order are:
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)
