The shortlist of 16 sports stars up for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2016 award has been named on The One Show
Olympic equestian and Paralympic equestrian gold medallists Nick Skelton (pictured) and Sophie Christiansen are the final sports stars to be named for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2016 award.
A tightly contested shortlist of 16 include Olympic and Wimbledon tennis hero Andy Murray, Olympics middle distance king Mo Farrah and Olympic gymnastics hero Max Whitlock.
Besides the individual title, the BBC SPOTY awards will also likely include Leicester City’s surprise Premier League title, Wales’ run to the semi-final of Euro 2016, England’s Grand Slam victory in the Six Nations among many other incredible endeavours.
The contenders are (in alphabetical order):
· Nicola Adams – Boxing · Gareth Bale – Football · Alistair Brownlee – Triathlon · Sophie Christiansen – Equestrian · Kadeena Cox – Athletics/Cycling · Mo Farah – Athletics · Jason Kenny – Cycling · Laura Kenny – Cycling · Andy Murray – Tennis · Adam Peaty – Swimming · Kate Richardson-Walsh – Hockey · Nick Skelton – Equestrian · Dame Sarah Storey – Cycling · Jamie Vardy – Football · Max Whitlock – Gymnastics · Danny Willett - Golf
Gabby Logan announced the much-anticipated shortlist exclusively on BBC One’s The One Show on Monday. She, along with Gary Lineker and Clare Balding, will present this year’s show from Birmingham’s Genting Arena in front of a 12,000-strong crowd on Sunday, December 18, live on BBC1 from 6.40pm.
The 16 for 2016 will now go on to compete for the public vote on the night of the live show.
Votes can be cast by phone or online on the evening of Sunday 18 December. The number to call for each contender will be revealed during the programme. There is no voting via email, Red Button or by text.
