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Comment - SPORTS
There's been a bit of controversy flying about in the press of late after double Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Adlington suggested that Lewis Hamilton should not win the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year award [SPOTYA!] after his historic title win in Brazil. Part of me thinks she has a point, but then I neither enjoy nor appreciate Formula 1. I don't drive, you see, so I can't possibly appreciate the difficulties Lewis Hamilton faces, nor understand any part of his skill. In fact, if I'm in need of an afternoon nap at the right time, I put on F1 qualifying or a race and I'm asleep in minutes.
This year's BBC SPOTYA is going to be a fierce one - Chris Hoy has to be in with a shout as does Adlington herself. I think Paula Radcliffe should be in there too for a superb win in the NY marathon, her third in a row and a storming performance. Paula won't win, of course - she didn't perform (for good reasons) in Beijing, and that's the yardstick for this year, surely. Rebecca Romero is another that shouldn't be passed by after switching from rowing to cycling and doing Team GB proud.
Ellie Simmonds has to be high on everyone's list for the 2008 award. Who can possibly forget the 13-year-old's tears after winning two golds (one in 100m freestyle, the other in 400m) in the pool at the Paralympics - and her huge smile, of course.
There's a lot of deserving athletes out there after an incredible year of sport, but will the losers have been hamstrung by people simply not understanding their sport? Will the popularity of F1 over other sports, and its increased television coverage mean Hamilton strolls to a win in the polls?
Bugger, I've run out of space - I didn't even get to mention the US presidential elections or the Bank of England's incredible interest rate cut. Ah well, maybe next time...
Jon Bruford, Editor
SGB - Sports and Outdoor
T: 01584 877177
