Keely Hodgkinson, Britain’s bright light of athletics, topped off an outstanding year of running when she won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year at last night’s star-studded ceremony (17 December).
A force to be reckoned with over two laps of the track, the 800m specialist triumphed at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, finally snatching that elusive gold medal after scooping silver in the event at the 2020 Games in Tokyo, as well as silver medals at both the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.
Before sealing Olympic victory at the Stade de France in August, the 22-year-old won her second consecutive European title over 800m at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome in June. She also scored another incredible victory at this year’s London Diamond League in July, where her 800m time of 1:54.61 served as a new PB and a new national record – and made her the sixth-fastest woman ever over the distance.
‘I am in a bit of shock,’ said Hodgkinson on being voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2024. ‘This year has been incredible and I achieved everything I set out to do on the outdoor track. I hope you loved watching Paris.’
At the ceremony, she also took time to thank her coaches, Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, who won the 2024 Coach of the Year award earlier in the evening.
‘I am more excited for my coach as I wouldn’t be here without his guidance,’ she said, nodding to Painter.
Hodgkinson, who is still, excitingly, near the infancy of her career despite having a vast collection of accolades to her name already, is the fourth woman in a row to walk away with the annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. She follows England footballers Mary Earps and Beth Mead, who won the award in 2023 and 2022 respectively, and tennis player Emma Raducanu, who won it in 2021.
Hogkinson also finished ahead of young darts player Luke Littler, who placed second, and England cricketer Joe Root, who came third. Decorated triathlete Alex Yee – who won emphatic gold in the men’s individual Olympic triathlon and bronze in the mixed relay Olympic triathlon this summer – was also among the sportspeople to be shortlisted for the award.