Contenders For BBC's Sports Personality Of The Year

Every year the BBC rewards sports men and women for their contribution to British sports, and on Sunday November 14, we will find out who is the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Here is a rundown of this year’s ten contenders for the award:

Olympic Heroes from the Beijing Olympics

Rebecca Adlington – Swimmer
Nicole Cooke – Cyclist
Chris Hoy – Cyclist
Rebecca Romero – Cyclist
Bradley Wiggins – Cyclist
Ben Ainslie – Sailor
Christine Ohuruogu – 400m Runner

Over the summer we witnessed a dramatic improvement in British success at the Beijing Olympics with many heroes that gave memorable performances. 19-year-old Rebecca Adlington won two gold medals in the pool, beating a world record in the process.

The cyclists were amazing and brought home the most medals than any other discipline , with Chris Hoy leading the way as always.  An amazing feat was achieved at the Olympics as only one unlucky athlete did not win gold at the cycling.

Ben Ainslie is one of our most famous and well-known athletes over the past four Olympic Games, as he has won many medals, and once again produced gold in Beijing.

Christine Ohuruogu won Olympic gold in the 400m after Kelly Homes won it four years ago in Athens.

Lewis Hamilton has turned millions of people into fans of Formula One in this country, and this year won the Formula One World Championship on the final corner of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

He has risen from a child driving go-karts to being at the pinnacle of the sport this year.

Joe Calzaghe, a Welsh boxing legend, this year improved his record to 46 straight victories against Roy Jones, Jr. on November 8.

He also beat Bernard Hopkins in April this year. His record currently stands at 46-0 as I have already said, with 32 knockouts.

Calzaghe has held the many titles in his career and has been in the running for the Sports Personality of the Year for a few years, and last year took the crown ahead of fellow boxer, Ricky Hatton.

Personally, I hope that he wins the award as he has (probably) come to the end of his career and has deserved this for the way he has conducted himself this year.

Andy Murray has reached the No. 4 spot on the ATP rankings this year after winning two ATP Masters Tournaments, and reaching the final of the U.S. Open, where he was beaten by Roger Federer.

These sporting celebrities will want your vote on Sunday the December 14, 2008.  Details will be given on the night.  The programme will be presented by Gary Lineker.

Other awards to be presented on the night:

Team of the Year

Coach of the Year

Overseas Personality

Young Personality

Helen Rollason Award

Unsung Hero Award

Lifetime Acheivement