16 for 2016: Shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2016 revealed
The BBC has revealed the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2016.
Published: 28 November 2016
The past 12 months have delivered an incredible year of sporting achievement and to reflect that, 16 contenders have been nominated for the prestigious main award.
From Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s incredible success in Rio, Leicester City’s surprise Premier League title, Wales’s run to the semis of Euro 2016, England’s Grand Slam victory in the Six Nations and so many amazing individual performances across so many sports - this year’s awards could be the most hotly contested yet.
Gabby Logan announced the much-anticipated shortlist exclusively on BBC One’s The One Show earlier this evening. Gabby 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 18 December, live on BBC One from 6.40pm.
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
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. For further information go to bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality
In addition to the main award, there will also be awards presented on the night for:
- Team of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- Overseas Sports Personality of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Helen Rollason Award
- Get Inspired Unsung Hero Award
The winner of Young Sports Personality of the Year 2016 will be announced on BBC One’s The One Show ahead of BBC Sports Personality of the Year taking place.
The industry panel for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year included 2009 winner of the award Ryan Giggs, Olympic Gold medallist Victoria Pendleton and former Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. They sat alongside sports presenter Ore Oduba, journalist Amy Lawrence and Chief Executive of UK Sport Liz Nicholl.
Also on the 2016 panel were newspaper sports editors David James (Sunday Mirror/Sunday People), Adam Sills (Daily/Sunday Telegraph) and Alison Kervin (Mail on Sunday). Representing the BBC were Director of Sport Barbara Slater, Head of TV Sport Philip Bernie and Sports Personality Executive Editor Carl Doran.
For voting criteria on all the awards, further information and updates please visit bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality
GS
