Keely Hodgkinson Crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024

Historic Win for Olympic Champion

Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson was named the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, capping off an extraordinary year for the 22-year-old British middle-distance runner. The award ceremony took place on 17 December 2024, broadcast from Media City in Salford and presented by Clare Balding, Gabby Logan, and Alex Scott.

Hodgkinson stormed to her maiden Olympic title in a time of 1:56.72 at the Stade de France, upgrading her silver from Tokyo. The victory marked the culmination of years of dedication, having burst onto the global scene at the age of 19 by winning the 800m silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

A Year of Triumph

Hodgkinson’s success extended beyond the Olympics. She successfully defended her European title in Rome earlier in the year. Under the direction of her coaches, she became the sixth-fastest woman in history with a new British record of 54.61 seconds.

Darts sensation Luke Littler finished as runner-up and won the Young SPOTY prize, while cricketer Joe Root came in third place. The shortlist included notable athletes such as footballer Jude Bellingham, triathlon champion Alex Yee, and para-cyclist Dame Sarah Storey.

Breaking Records and Making History

Hodgkinson’s success makes it an unprecedented four years in a row that the award has been won by a woman, following Mary Earps in 2023, Beth Mead in 2022 and Emma Raducanu in 2021. This represents a historic shift for the award, which has recognised sporting excellence since 1954.

Upon receiving the honour, Hodgkinson said: “I’m actually in a bit of shock. This year has been absolutely incredible for me”. The humble champion praised her coach Trevor Painter, who alongside Jenny Meadows was presented with the Coach of the Year Award for guiding Keely Hodgkinson to the 800m gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

What This Means for British Athletics

Hodgkinson’s victory highlights the continued strength of British athletics on the world stage. Her achievement not only inspires the next generation of runners but also demonstrates the impact of sustained investment in coaching and athlete development. As she continues to break records and capture hearts, Hodgkinson represents the pinnacle of dedication, talent, and sportsmanship—a worthy recipient of one of Britain’s most prestigious sporting honours.