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BBC SPOTY: Who are the six contenders for the award this year?

| 08.12.2020

As the curtain falls on what has been another fascinating year of sporting trials and achievements, it’s time to take a closer look at the contenders for the 2020 BBC Sports Personality Of The Year.

A shortlist of six contenders has been announced for the prestigious award with the winner set to be crowned on Sunday 20th December at Media City in Salford.

The awards ceremony will recognise the teams that triumphed in a year which has served up its own challenges amidst a global pandemic. Plus, applaud the sports stars and coaches who have achieved greatness in their respective sporting fields.

Other awards include Team and Coach of the Year, World Sport Star of the Year and Unsung Hero. Manchester United star Marcus Rashford will receive a special award in recognition of his work to raise awareness of child food poverty in the UK.

Without further ado, here are the 2020 BBC Sports Personality Of The Year contenders…

Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1)

This year, Lewis Hamilton became the greatest driver in Formula 1 history equalling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world championships and surpassing the most pole positions and most Grand Prix victories.

Off the track, Hamilton has been an inspiring advocate of the Black Lives Matter movement, using his platform to push for greater racial diversity both within the sport and the wider world. He is shortlisted as 2/5 favourite to scoop the accolade.

Ronnie O’Sullivan (Snooker)

Could this be the year for The Rocket? The 44-year-old is widely regarded as the greatest player in snooker history after winning his sixth world title at the Crucible and reaching the final of the Northern Ireland Open.

O’Sullivan has won more events and Triple Crown event titles than anyone in the game. This year is his first nomination for the illustrious award during his 28-year career. He’s the 5/1 second-favourite to win the award.

Jordan Henderson (Football)

Will the Liverpool skipper be adding another trophy to his collection? Henderson captained Liverpool to their first league title in thirty years and was also named the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year after leading Liverpool to 2018/19 Champions League glory, plus Super Cup and Club World Cup titles.

The 30-year-old was also widely praised for his role in professional players’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is currently 10/1 to win the award.

Tyson Fury (Boxing)

The ‘Gypsy King’, became a two-time world heavyweight champion after defeating Deontay Wilder in a Las Vegas rematch in February. The victory completed a remarkable comeback after Fury’s battle with mental health and addiction.

Fury (16/1) was previously shortlisted for the award in 2015, could 2020 be the year the Gypsy King is crowned?

Hollie Doyle (Horse Racing)

The 24-year-old broke her own record for most wins achieved by a female jockey during a calendar year. She rode a historic double on British Champions Day, she became the first woman to ride five winners on the same card and she took her first victory at Royal Ascot on board Scarlet Dragon.

Doyle is the youngest name on the list and the only woman to be shortlisted this year. She has already been named the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year and is 20/1 to become only the second jockey after AP McCoy to win SPOTY.

Stuart Broad (Cricket)

It has been a superb year for the England fast bowler. Broad has taken 38 Test wickets for England at an incredible average of 14.76 in 2020. In doing so, he became only the seventh bowler in history to reach the special 500 landmark of all-time Test wicket-takers.

Ben Stokes was crowned the 2019 Sports Personality Of The Year, could Stuart Broad (50/1) make it back-to-back victories for English cricket?

View the latest BBC Sports Personality Of The Year odds

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

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Author

Jack Horrocks

Jack is sport mad with a passion for Football and Cricket. A Journalism graduate from Liverpool John Moores University, Jack has also worked at the Liverpool Echo and Fifa.com.