SPOTY shortlist met with outrage

The shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011 was announced on Monday evening, but came under criticism for the lack of a single female contender.

Cyclist Mark Cavendish, cricketers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss, athletes Mo Farah and Dai Greene, Boxer Amir Kahn, tennis player Andy Murray and three golfers – Darren Clarke, Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy were named on the shortlist.

Surprisingly there was no room for Rebecca Adlington, who won gold in the 800m at the World Swimming Championships earlier this year, or Chrissie Wellington, who won a fourth Ironman world title a couple of months ago.

“Its not about me, its about the need to celebrate achievements of so many female GBR athletes. Disgraceful,” said Wellington on Twitter.

There was also concern expressed that mens magazines Nuts and Zoo were included in the voting process.

“I think you just look at where the nominations have come from and that highlights another problem really - only 2% of media coverage in sport goes to women,” said Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Mark Cavendish is the strong betting favourite to win the award having won the Tour de Frane green jersey and World Road Race this year. Skybet (Go to Skybet ») are as short as Evens about the 26-year-old.

Second in the betting is golf’s Open champion Darren Clarke at 9/4, followed by US Open champion Rory McIlroy at 13/2 and distance runner Mo Farah at the same price.

Written By:- Andy (About our Authors)
Posted on:- 29/11/2011 - 14:16 PM
Filed in:- Sports Betting News