Keely Hodgkinson voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Keely Hodgkinson was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 this evening, triumphing in front of a star-studded audience and people watching live on BBC One and iPlayer. Luke Littler secured second place, while Joe Root took third in the race for the prestigious award.

Concluding an iconic evening of sporting excellence, Keely claimed a hard-earned victory, taking home the coveted title of BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024.

Keely Hodgkinson’s magnificent 2024 culminated in a brilliant 800m gold at the Paris Olympics. She stormed to victory, securing Team GB’s first Olympic track title since Mo Farah’s 5000m and 10,000m double in Rio. Her flawless performance broke a string of near misses on the global stage and confirmed her status as one of Britain’s greatest ever middle-distance runners. Her exploits at the Stade de France saw the 22-year-old become only the 10th British woman to win an Olympic track and field gold.

Earlier in the year, Hodgkinson retained her European 800m title to further underline her dominance in the event. Her triumphs over the last 12 months reflect her years of hard work, resilience, and unrelenting focus. Keely is the first athlete to win Sports Personality since Sir Mo Farah in 2017 and the first female athlete since Dame Kelly Holmes in 2004.

On winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024, Keely Hodgkinson says, “I’m actually in a bit of shock. Thank you so much. I’m actually more excited for my coach to be honest because I wouldn’t be where I am without him and his guidance that I’ve had since I was 17. This year has been absolutely incredible for me. I’ve achieved everything I’ve 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 everyone that voted at home, I hope you all loved watching Paris as much as I’ve loved competing in it and I wish you all a wonderful evening. Thank you so much.”

Alex Kay-Jelski, BBC Director of Sport says, “All of this year’s Sports Personality of the Year contenders and winners truly embody the magic of sport – talent, determination and the power to inspire and unite. It’s been another incredible year of sport and evening was the ultimate celebration of sporting greatness. I can’t wait to see the nation come together to celebrate more sporting moments in 2025.”

The Helen Rollason Award was presented to former champion boxer Dr Mark Prince OBE. After a tough start to life, in which he ended up on the streets and involved in street crime and drugs, he turned his fortunes around through boxing and the discipline it brought him, culminating in a world title fight in 1998. However, tragedy struck when his 15-year-old son Kiyan, who was an aspiring footballer with QPR, was murdered in 2006. Mark battled through the pain and grief to set up the Kiyan Prince Foundation (KPF) to combat knife crime and inspire young lives through boxing, life coaching, and motivational talks. The KPF has impacted over 100,000 children, gained global recognition with campaigns like “Long Live the Prince”, and was awarded naming rights to QPR’s Loftus Road in 2019. Prince’s incredible resolve through adversity and hardship to achieve so much progress on knife crime following his son’s death is a truly remarkably accomplishment.

Armand Duplantis was awarded World Sport Star of the Year after the greatest pole vaulter in history enjoyed another record-breaking year. He defended his Olympic title in spectacular style at the Paris Games breaking his own world record, something he managed three times in total in 2024. His exploits at the Stade de France saw him become the first man to retain an Olympic pole vault title since American Bob Richards in 1952 and 1956. The man known as ‘Mondo’ also won golds at the World Indoor and European Championships and claimed a fourth consecutive Diamond League title, leaving no doubt about his overwhelming supremacy in the sport.

Wigan Warriors took home BBC Sport’s Personality’s Team of the Year. In an all-conquering 2024, Wigan Warriors became the first team in the Super League era to complete the quadruple of World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final. In doing so they matched the record of the great Wigan side of 1994 who became the first side to win all four major trophies in one campaign. Matt Peet’s side did not concede a single try in their last four games of the season and conceded just two points in total across those matches, including in the Grand Final, as they proved to be an unstoppable force in both attack and defence.

Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows have been awarded Coach of the Year. The husband and wife pair coached Keely Hodgkinson to her sensational Olympic gold in the 800m. After helping the 22-year-old to three global medals - each silver - in successive years she finally topped the podium to win Team GB’s first Olympic track title since Mo Farah’s 5,000m and 10,000m double in Rio. Hodgkinson’s success also made her only the 10th British woman to win an athletics gold at a Games. Painter and Meadows also coached Georgia Bell to 800m bronze in Paris as well as Lewis Davey, who took bronze in the men’s 4x400m relay. In light of all their success, Painter, who has been guiding athletes for almost a quarter of a century, was given the Coaching Achievement Award at the World Athletics Awards 2024.

The BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year was awarded to Luke Littler. Luke shook darts to its core in 2024 with one of the most astonishing breakthrough years the world of sport has ever seen. At just 16-years-old, and ranked a lowly 164th in the world, the prodigy stormed to the PDC World Championship final, smashing records and taking down some of the game’s biggest names along the way. His first major title soon followed at the Premier League of Darts, while his victory at the prestigious Grand Slam of Darts made him just the fourth player in history to win 10 trophies in one season and took his earnings over £1m. The Warrington teenager’s fearless nature and composed performances have captivated fans not only in Great Britain, but around the world, as he’s become one of the most talked about sport’s stars on the planet.

Jean Paton from Lymington, Hampshire, was the overall winner of the Unsung Hero award. At 90 years old, Jean is one of the most dedicated volunteers of Salterns Sailing Club in Lymington, Hampshire, where she has contributed for nearly 40 years. As an RYA Dinghy Instructor, she has been a cornerstone of the club’s twice-yearly “Moppy Camps,” inspiring generations of young sailors. Jean’s warmth and dedication has created a nurturing environment, making sailing accessible and enjoyable for hundreds of local children while building their confidence. Her lifelong passion continues to shape the club and its community.

Finally, Sir Mark Cavendish was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award. The most successful sprinter of all time was presented with the award for his incredible career and dedication to cycling.

The 39-year-old legend from the Isle of Man, initially planned to retire in 2023, but postponed his farewell to chase a record-breaking 35th stage win at the Tour de France. In a stunning display of determination and skill, the ‘Manx Missile’ claimed victory on stage five in Saint-Vulbas, securing his place in history as the sole holder of the record. This triumph marked the 165th win of his distinguished career and solidified his reputation as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

He twice won the Tour’s green jersey, awarded to the rider with the most points, and boasts a further 17 stage wins in the Giro d’Italia, three in the Vuelta a Espana and he also claimed the road world title in 2011. On the track he won omnium silver at the 2016 Olympics, three madison world titles and a Commonwealth Games gold for the Isle of Man. He was also honoured with a knighthood earlier this year.

RM4