Sport
Sports Personality of the Year 2024: Leading contenders
This year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year contest is starting to take shape and we run through those in early contention to pick up the award.
We look over the early favourites in the betting to assess their chances of being crowned in December’s ceremony.
Mark Cavendish
The cycling world would’ve thought that the end of the 2023 season would have been the last they saw of British cyclist Mark Cavendish. But he’s back, and he wants his record! In 2021 he equalled the legendary Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 Tour de France stage victories. Cavendish’s search for an outright record 35th win at the Tour appeared over when he broke his collarbone. However, Cavendish’s return this season was nothing short of sensational and he went on to set the outright record – a special achievement by a British sportsman who has been at the top of the sprint cycling division for many years.
In winning a 35th stage Cavendish has set himself apart from other greats of cycling and this perfect ending has him at a price of 14/1 to lift the SPOTY trophy.
Emma Finucane
Emma Finucane has delivered an outstanding performance in the Paris Velodrome, securing a gold medal in the team sprint and adding a bronze in the keirin event to her impressive achievements. With more events like the sprint still ahead, there is potential for Finucane to further expand her medal collection. Given her remarkable success on the global stage, it’s no surprise that she is currently listed at 10/1 odds to win this year’s Sports Personality of the Year award, reflecting her growing recognition and popularity.
Luke Littler
Luke Littler has taken the darting world by storm in his professional debut season. In his first World Championship he went all the way to the final, before just coming up short in what would’ve been one of the biggest sporting upsets of all-time. He plays with no fear and is a very likeable and relatable character, which only adds to his chances of winning SPOTY this year.
Not long after his brilliant World Championship tournament, Littler went on to win his first World Series title at the Bahrain Darts Masters, and he has become a fan-favourite across the nation. Littler is the current third-favourite at 6/1 to add the SPOTY trophy to his long list of achievements in his breakthrough season.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Katarina Johnson-Thompson is leading the heptathlon table after the first day, showcasing her exceptional form. This success follows an already stellar year, during which she claimed gold in the heptathlon at the World Athletics Championships, marking a triumphant return to her best. Her consistent dominance and ability to perform under pressure have now positioned her as a strong contender for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, with her odds as short as 5/1, reflecting the high regard in which she is held by the public.
Keely Hodgkinson
Keely Hodgkinson has firmly established herself as the face of Team GB after her sensational gold medal victory in the 800 metres. Her remarkable performance has captivated the nation, showcasing her as one of the brightest stars in British athletics. Hodgkinson’s ability to dominate on the world stage at such a young age has not only solidified her status as a leading athlete but also made her the overwhelming favourite for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, with odds now as low as 1/2. Her rise to prominence has been nothing short of extraordinary, making her a true inspiration and a symbol of British sporting excellence.
