- Keely Hodgkinson capped off an incredible 2024 by winning the SPOTY award
- Luke Littler was forced to settle for second place with Joe Root third.
Keely Hodgkinson capped her golden year with a silver trophy as she became the fourth woman in a row to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
The 22-year-old memorably claimed her first world gold medal with her victory in the 800 meters at the Paris Olympics in August. And after swapping her pointes for stilettos, she once again finished first when she picked up the iconic silver camera with four-turret lenses at last night’s BBC party in Salford.
Hodgkinson topped the public vote ahead of 17-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler, who was also named Young Sports Personality of the Year, and England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer Joe Root.
The Atherton athlete’s victory follows those of her teammates Mary Earps, Beth Mead and Emma Raducanu, while she is the first track star to triumph since Mo Farah seven years ago.
“I’m shocked,” admitted Hodgkinson, who also retained his European title in an unbeaten season. ‘This year has been absolutely incredible for me. I have achieved everything I wanted on the outdoor track.
“When you look at the winners’ names on the list, you’ve got Andy Murray, Lewis Hamilton, British icons, so it’s great to put my name on there.
Keely Hodgkinson wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year award after stormy 2024
The 22-year-old won gold in the 800 meters with a sensational performance at the Paris Olympics.
Hodgkinson said she was “in shock” when she was presented with the award, becoming the fourth woman in a row to lift it.
Luke Littler came in second place and was named Young Sports Personality of the Year.
Joe Root came third after becoming England’s leading Test scorer this year.
‘When I was a child, I dared to dream big. Just to be in this position now, with a long career and many more medals ahead of me, is a real privilege. “I really want to do it all again.”
It was a night of double celebration for Hodgkinson as his husband and wife coaching team, Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, collected the Coach of the Year award. As well as guiding Hodgkinson to gold, they also led Georgia Bell to Olympic bronze in the 1500m and Lewis Davey to bronze in the men’s 4x400m.
“I’m actually more excited for my coach Trevor because I wouldn’t be where I am without him and his guidance that I’ve had since I was 17,” Hodgkinson added.
Littler finished second to Hodgkinson in the top prize after his astonishing breakthrough year, which saw him reach the final of the PDC World Darts Championship in January at the age of 16. On winning the Young Sports Personality of the Year award, he said: “It shows how well I have done this year. I know how big the sport has become and that shows how much I have changed it.”
Wigan Warriors became the first rugby league team since St Helens in 2006 to be crowned Team of the Year following their historic season, when they completed the quadruple of the World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final.
Mark Cavendish received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Bradley Wiggins after breaking the record for Tour de France stage wins. Mondo Duplantis was awarded World Sports of the Year after defending his Olympic pole vault title and breaking his own world record three times this season.