BBC Sports Personality of the Year LIVE: Keely Hodgkinson crowned 2024 SPOTY winner at Salford awards ceremony
The 71st edition of the awards takes place in Salford this evening, with Hodgkinson and Luke Littler among the favourites
Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson was voted the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year for 2024.
The award caps a brilliant 12 months for the 22-year-old in which she claimed gold at the Paris Olympics, successfully defended her European title and set a new British record of one minute 54.61 seconds that made her the sixth fastest woman in history.
Littler came second in the public vote, while England cricket star Joe Root took the third place prize at Tuesday’s ceremony in Salford.
Hodgkinson’s success makes it an unprecedented four years in a row that the award has been won by a woman, following Mary Earps in 2023, Beth Mead in 2022 and Emma Raducanu in 2021.
Mark Cavendish won the lifetime achievement award after breaking the record for most Tour de France stage wins in July, while there were gongs for the young sports personality (Luke Littler), the best overseas sportsperson (Mondo Duplantis), the team of the year (Wigan Warriors) and more.
What next for Littler?
Littler’s main concern will be his upcoming tie in the World Darts Championships. It’s the competition he made his name in last year, when he lost the final to Luke Humphries – he takes on the winner of Ryan Meikle vs Fallon Sherrock in the second round on Saturday, 21 December.
Later in the year, he’ll look to repeat his victories in the Grand Slam of Darts, the Premier League and World Series Finals.
Littler: “It just goes to show how well I have done this year"
Luke Littler, who came second in the main award, spoke at more length when picking up his prize for Young Sports Personality of the Year.
“It just goes to show how well I have done this year,” he said.
“Not only for myself, but I have changed the sport of darts.
“I know the amount of academies that have been brought up in different locations, how big the sport has got.
“Tickets selling out with the Ally Pally in hours and the Premier league selling out - it just goes to show how much I have changed it.”
Painter and Meadows react
Hodgkinson’s caches, Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, also gave some words after picking up their gong.
“First of all it is an honour to get the microphone as Jenny normally does all the talking,” said Painter.
“It is hard enough standing out in Wigan as a coach, as you have Matt Peet at Wigan Warriors, you have Shaun Wane and Andy Farrell - it is great to do the best you can.”
Meadows said: “I have got to say Trevor’s leadership is brilliant. He really involves that culture and fun. It is hard work on a daily basis.”
Record fourth female winner in a row
Hodgkinson joins Mary Earps, Beth Mead and Emma Raducanu as the last four winners of the award, marking the first time in it’s history in which four women have won in a row!
Watch: Hodgkinson is crowned spot winner
Below is the moment that Hodgkinson was crowned winner for 2024!
What next for Hodgkinson?
The 22-year-old will have her sights set on breaking the 800m world record of 1:53.28, which has stood since 1983.
She will also look to claim the World Championship title in Tokyo in mid-September, when she could well re-ignite her rivalry with the United States’ Athing Mu.
How Keely Hodgkinson became Britain’s best loved athlete
Keely Hodgkinson was already a world-class athlete long before that sticky August night inside the Stade de France when she streaked clear to claim Olympic glory. And yet it is a mark of the Games’ unique power that even an elite 800m runner can have their life changed by winning that first Olympic title. With gold came more recognition, more opportunities, and more strange encounters in ordinary life.
“I was pottery painting in a little cafe in Sale... that was random,” she says, pondering some of the oddest moments of her post-Paris era. “Some woman came in and was like: ‘Are you the runner?’”
A more glamorous encounter came when she was flown out to Milan Fashion Week in September, courtesy of Armani. “The trip was absolutely amazing,” she beams. “They flew me out and I sat in the front row at the fashion show. We had lots of dinners, I got to meet him, Giorgio Armani … He came over to me and he put his hand on my cheek and called me bella, which I thought was really nice. He can’t speak English but he’s quite into his sport. It was just quite funny because he’s just this powerful, small man. He’s a lot older now, he’s 90 years old, but he looks great.”
Keely Hodgkinson: ‘Giorgio Armani put his hand on my cheek and called me bella’
Hodgkinson: “This year has been incredible”
On accepting her award, Hodgkinson briefly spoke, mentioning that she was “in a bit of shock.
“I am more excited for my coach [Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows] as I wouldn’t be here without his guidance.
“This year has been incredible and I achieved everything that I set out to do on the outdoor track.
“I hope you loved watching Paris and I wish you all a wonderful evening.”
Keely Hodgkinson wins Sports Personality of the Year
Hodgkinson becomes the fourth woman in a row to win the award, after Mary Earps last year, Beth Mead in 2022 and Emma Raducanu in 2021. That’s the first time in the award’s history that this has happened!
Hodgkinson also becomes the first track athlete to win the award since Mo Farah in 2017.
Keely Hodgkinson wins Sports Personality of the Year
The 22-year-old wins the biggest award of the night, capping off a remarkable year including that unforgettable Olympic gold in the 800m.
She says she is “a little bit shocked”.
Full quotes to come...
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