Michael Phelps receives BBC Lifetime Achievement Award
The world’s greatest Olympian, Michael Phelps, will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Published: 18 December 2016
I’m thrilled to receive the prestigious Sports Personality Lifetime Achievement award and follow in the footsteps of so many sporting greats. It is a fitting way to end what has been an unbelievable year for me and I’m looking forward to what will be a great night.
Swimmer Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history and increased his incredible tally of medals to 23 golds and 28 overall following another outstanding performance in the pool at the Rio Games. In what was his fifth Olympics, having made his debut as a 15-year-old in 2000, he added another five golds and a silver to his phenomenal collection. His feats are even more impressive given he retired after the London Olympics and only returned to the sport in 2014.
Michael Phelps says: “I’m thrilled to receive the prestigious Sports Personality Lifetime Achievement award and follow in the footsteps of so many sporting greats. It is a fitting way to end what has been an unbelievable year for me and I’m looking forward to what will be a great night.”
The award will be presented in front of a live audience of 12,000 people at the Genting Arena in Birmingham on Sunday 18 December.
Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, says: “For Michael Phelps to have stayed at the top of his sport for so many years, breaking so many records and earning so many medals is a massive achievement and something to be very proud of. The Lifetime Achievement award is the BBC’s way to mark what has been a glorious professional career.”
For voting criteria on all awards please visit bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality.
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