LeBron James and Khabib Nurmagomedov shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of the Year’s World Sport Star award

Golf’s Masters winner Dustin Johnson is also among the nominees, as are Katie Taylor, Wendie Renard and Armand Duplantis

LeBron James and Khabib Nurmagomedov have been shortlisted for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year World Sport Star award.

NBA champion James and MMA champion Nurmagomedov are joined on the list by Irish boxer Katie Taylor, American golfer Dustin Johnson, French footballer Wendie Renard and Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis.

American James led the Los Angeles Lakers to their first NBA championship in 10 years last season, while Russian Nurmagomedov announced his retirement in October after extending his unbeaten record to 29-0. Taylor defended her four world lightweight titles on two occasions in 2020.

Johnson won the Masters last month, Renard captained Lyon to Champions League glory for a fifth straight year and Duplantis broke the pole vault record twice in one month back in February.

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In a new addition to this year’s SPOTY, held at Media City in Salford on 20 December, the general public will be encouraged to share their own sporting achievements for this year’s Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year.

The BBC said: “Whether it’s running a 5k in the living room on a treadmill, taking up a new sport to keep active in lockdown or entertaining the family with new sporting moves in the garden or inside the house, the moments can be shared on the BBC Sport website.

“The BBC Sport website will show a selection of the moments submitted to celebrate all that has been achieved this year and they could also feature on our social media accounts or even in the show itself live on BBC One.”

The shortlist for SPOTY was announced earlier this week and includes 2014 winner Lewis Hamilton, the early favourite, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stuart Broad, Jordan Henderson and Hollie Doyle.

Sport fans can cast their votes via the BBC Sport website from 7am on 4 December, with the votes closing at midday on 15 December.

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PA