Geraint Thomas, Harry Kane and Tyson Fury are among the favourites to win the 65th BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, which will be presented in Birmingham on Sunday night.
The BBC’s decision to only declare its final shortlist on the night has served to increase speculation over which big names will find themselves going forward to the public vote.
Unpredictability continues to be a hallmark of the competition, following Sir Mo Farah’s surprise victory in a non-Olympic year last year, just ahead of the Superbike world champion Jonathan Rea.
SPOTY is back – and there are some big changes. The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2018 contenders will be revealed on the night of the show for the first time.
More here: https://t.co/2CKlDe55c3 #SPOTY pic.twitter.com/am4hyxiWrx
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 2, 2018
And plenty of controversy is also assured, especially if Fury, who fought a world heavyweight title draw against Deontay Wilder earlier this month, is included on the list.
Fury’s inclusion in 2015 sparked widespread condemnation due to previous comments relating to homosexuality and the role of women, while the fact that – questionably or not – he did not actually beat Wilder could preclude him from the running.
Anthony Joshua has sold out stadiums this year but the magnitude of his contests have paled when compared to the attention-grabbing antics of Fury and Wilder, so he too may have to wait his turn.
Helping England reach the World Cup semi-finals will make Kane a popular choice, while there were few greater good news stories for British sport this year than Dina Asher-Smith’s exploits at the European Athletics Championships.
Thomas is sure to be a popular contender after his Tour de France heroics, but others who achieved some of the biggest feats in sports are bound to be hampered by their relative lack of public profile.
Lizzy Yarnold became the first British athlete to retain a Winter Olympic title, swimmer Adam Peaty lowered his own world record and Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed a record-breaking seventh UK snooker crown.
Meanwhile, the emotional factor could kick in when it comes to former England cricket captain Alastair Cook, who signed off his illustrious career with a century against India in September.
