BBC writer wins journalism award

Our man does penance for being rude about the Tour de France

BBC Sport's Matt Slater has been named internet sports writer of the year at the prestigious Sports Journalists' Association awards.

He won for a portfolio of three articles covering Sir Clive Woodward's Olympics role, an investigation into doping and a triathlon diary.

It is the first year a specific internet category has been included.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek won sports programme of the year for the second year in succession.

In the internet category, Ed Gorman of Times Online and Paul Doyle of Guardian Unlimited shared the highly commended award.

The judges described Slater's work as "impressive" and praised his "excellent variation of topics" and "clever and insightful writing that would not have looked out of place in any publication".

Ben Gallop, head of BBC Sport Interactive, said: "There is an art to sports journalism on the web, where immediacy, distinctiveness and interactivity are so important. So it's great that the SJA has recognised the excellent work Matt has been producing in this area.

"He and his colleagues in BBC Sport have come up with some fantastically varied and compelling journalism in recent months and this award is a tribute to all that hard work and dedication."