BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2017 top three revealed
The top three contenders for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2017 have been revealed live on CBBC’s Blue Peter.
Published: 7 December 2017
They are:
- Ellie Downie (Gymnast)
- Phil Foden (Footballer)
- Millie Knight (Para-Skier)
2017 has been a record-breaking year for 2015 Young Sports Personality of the Year winner Ellie Downie, making history by becoming the first British gymnast to win all-round gold at a major international competition at the 2017 European Championships in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She also took home silver medals for vault and floor, and a bronze on the uneven bars.
17-year-old Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India with his England under-17 teammates, winning the Golden Ball award for best player at the tournament. Foden made his Manchester City debut in October, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute against Dutch champions Feyenoord in the Champions League.
Para-Skier Millie Knight took home the gold medal at the 2017 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships in Tarvisio, Italy. The 18-year-old also scored silvers in the slalom, giant slalom, and combined event alongside her guide Brett Wild. Millie was also awarded an honorary doctorate this year by the University of Kent.
The top three have been chosen from an original list of 10 talented youngsters which included Kare Adenegan (Wheelchair Athletics), Rhian Brewster (Football), Sophie Ecclestone (Cricket), Ieuan James (Canoeing), Marcus Smith (Rugby Union), Jess Stretton (Para-Archery) and Ben Woodburn (Football).
Following in the footsteps of 2016 winner swimmer Ellie Robinson, the overall winner will be presented with their award during the Sports Personality of the Year show on Sunday 17 December.
The shortlist and winner was selected by a panel, from nominations made to the BBC and by sports governing bodies via the Youth Sport Trust and in partnership with Blue Peter.
The BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year is awarded to an outstanding young sportsperson who was aged 17 or under on 1 January 2017.
For voting criteria on all of the awards please visit bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality
BBC Sports Personality of the Year takes place on Sunday 17 December
This year, BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year has once again joined forces with Blue Peter to offer one young viewer the chance to join the panel to decide this year's shortlist. The lucky viewer was selected from those who have applied for a Blue Peter Sport Badge.
Since its launch the Blue Peter Sport Badge has helped encouraged so many children to get into sport, with every sport badge equalling one hour of sport taken part in by Blue Peter viewers. Now in its 5th year over 50 thousand hours of sport have happened thanks to the badge.
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