Keely Hodgkinson named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 ...

After storming to 800m victory at Paris 2024 and defending her European title, the 22-year-old capped off a magnificent year with the prestigious award.

The evening saw plenty of success for Olympic athletes, with Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee also nominated for the top award.

Sir Mark Cavendish was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Hodgkinson's coaches Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows were named Coach of the Year and teenage skateboard extraordinaire Sky Brown was nominated for Young Sports Personality.

Sports Personality of the Year

Keely Hodgkinson has seen a year like no other.

The 800m runner stormed to her maiden Olympic title in a time of 1:56.72 at the Stade de France, upgrading her silver from Tokyo in style.

It came just months after she had successfully defended her European title in Rome.

For her efforts, Hodgkinson was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 at Media City in Salford and was overcome with surprise in hearing her name called out.

"I'm actually in a bit of shock," she said. "I'm more excited for my coach to be honest because I wouldn't be where I am now without his guidance since I was 17.

"This year has been absolutely incredible for me. I've acheived everything I set out to do on the outdoor track which is kind of rare so I'm so grateful to be in this position.

"Thank you to everyone who voted and I hope you all loved Paris as much as I loved competing in it."

Hodgkinson is the fourth successive woman to win the award after Mary Earps (2023), Beth Mead (2022) and Emma Raducanu (2021), the first time it has happened in the award's history.

Alex Yee became the first triathlete to be nominated for the award since Alistair Brownlee in 2016.

Yee became Britain's most decorated Olympic triathlete this year, adding individual gold and mixed relay bronze to his two medals from Tokyo, whilst also clinching the world title in October.

Lifetime Achievement

Every athlete dreams of leaving a lasting legacy in their sport. Sir Mark Cavendish has done that and more.

The giant of British cycling was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024.

It is an award that has come off the back of a remarkable year that saw the 39-year-old break the record for the most Tour de France stage wins in history - a staggering 35.

The last came in Saint-Vulbas in July as the Manx Missile eclipsed Eddy Merckx's long-standing record.

Alongside his efforts in becoming the first ever British rider to win the green jersey, Cavendish also claimed the road world title in 2011, 17 stages of the Giro d'Italia and three of the Vuelta a Espana throughout his career.

He made his Olympic debut on the track at Beijing 2008 but then switched to the road at London 2012, missing out on a medal at his home Games.

But in Rio 2016 he was finally rewarded with an Olympic medal, claiming silver in the men's omnium.

After finally hanging up his cleats, Cavendish looked back on a memorable career in sport as he recieved the award.

"I have always been a sports fan and sport has an incredible ability to inspire, whether you want to compete, or do it for fun, or do it as a family," he said.

"As a nation of GB we are such a strong nation in the world of sport.

"I know having represented the country and when you pull on the union flag it is a massive honour."

Coach of the Year

When one of your athletes wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year, it is fitting that you should be awarded Coach of the Year.

That is exactly what happened to Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, who helped Hodgkinson storm to her Olympic and European crowns in 2024.

Painter is the founder and head coach of the M11 Track Club, a professional track & field training group based in Manchester, UK, working alongside his wife and partner in sport, Meadows.

They also led Georgia Bell to bronze in the 1500m and Lewis Davey to bronze in the men’s 4x400m relay at Paris 2024.

"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," said Painter.

Meadows added: "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."

Sportsbeat 2024