BBC SPOTY 2024

[Brazilian Villain]

I'm with Somnioquism on the above though, I thought it was a brilliant achievement and a stunning display of running ability.

I'd still give the award to Armand Duplantis though.

[Brazilian Villain]

Luke Littler named as the top trending athlete of 2024 on UK Google. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c708eewdll0o

Third overall, with only the Princes of Wales and President elect Trump ahead of him.

[Risso]

Clark isn't just a college basketball player though. The start of the year she was still playing college basketball, (and setting records there). But she signed professional in April / May. As a rookie, she is dominating as well setting lots of records in her debut season. However I do agree that it is still a niche sport compared to the others competing on world stages, and the BBC don't broadcast WNBA so it doesn't seem to be that either.

I'm sure we've had the "name a famous basketball player" Family Fortunes question chat recently. However few there are, it's infinitely more than any women's basketball player or team I reckon. I mean, I guess she's probably very good at basketball, but so what? Why not go for an ice hockey or baseball player, or a speed skater if they're going to go ultra-obscure?

[Monty]

Clark isn't just a college basketball player though. The start of the year she was still playing college basketball, (and setting records there). But she signed professional in April / May. As a rookie, she is dominating as well setting lots of records in her debut season. However I do agree that it is still a niche sport compared to the others competing on world stages, and the BBC don't broadcast WNBA so it doesn't seem to be that either.

I'm sure we've had the "name a famous basketball player" Family Fortunes question chat recently. However few there are, it's infinitely more than any women's basketball player or team I reckon. I mean, I guess she's probably very good at basketball, but so what? Why not go for an ice hockey or baseball player, or a speed skater if they're going to go ultra-obscure?

Probably because they spend a lot of time online.

[Somniloquism]

Clark isn't just a college basketball player though. The start of the year she was still playing college basketball, (and setting records there). But she signed professional in April / May. As a rookie, she is dominating as well setting lots of records in her debut season. However I do agree that it is still a niche sport compared to the others competing on world stages, and the BBC don't broadcast WNBA so it doesn't seem to be that either.

I'm sure we've had the "name a famous basketball player" Family Fortunes question chat recently. However few there are, it's infinitely more than any women's basketball player or team I reckon. I mean, I guess she's probably very good at basketball, but so what? Why not go for an ice hockey or baseball player, or a speed skater if they're going to go ultra-obscure?

I thought I was agreeing with you that the choice was strange, but I was only adding she isn't a college player anymore.

[Meanwood Villa]

I'm absolutely amazed that anyone gives enough of a shit about this to argue, I think I stopped being in any way interested in about 1987.

Awards ceremonies are toss.

Its sole purpose these days seems to be to give people the opportunity for a good old moan.

[paul_e]

What I find a bit odd about the complaints is that this year more than most I think it's really hard to argue about the inclusion of anyone. Bellingham is the most contentious but he did have a superb season with Real and the options to replace him are pretty thin after Cavendish who is much more suited for the lifetime achievement award that he should be guaranteed. The international ones are harder because it becomes such a broad category that you could have 100 options and there'd still be people missing.

[Jon Crofts]

I bet Jon Crofts thinks a cyclist should win. It's a Christmas tradition.

Anyway Hodgkinson will win.

Cavendish should win it.

There, Christmas is officially here.

*SPOTY is bollocks and has been for decades

[Risso]

Clark isn't just a college basketball player though. The start of the year she was still playing college basketball, (and setting records there). But she signed professional in April / May. As a rookie, she is dominating as well setting lots of records in her debut season. However I do agree that it is still a niche sport compared to the others competing on world stages, and the BBC don't broadcast WNBA so it doesn't seem to be that either.

I'm sure we've had the "name a famous basketball player" Family Fortunes question chat recently. However few there are, it's infinitely more than any women's basketball player or team I reckon. I mean, I guess she's probably very good at basketball, but so what? Why not go for an ice hockey or baseball player, or a speed skater if they're going to go ultra-obscure?

I thought I was agreeing with you that the choice was strange, but I was only adding she isn't a college player anymore.

I wasn't disagreeing, just expanding on the point that it's a truly bizarre choice.

[cdbearsfan]

I bet Jon Crofts thinks a cyclist should win. It's a Christmas tradition.

Anyway Hodgkinson will win.

Cavendish should win it.

There, Christmas is officially here.

*SPOTY is bollocks and has been for decades

🙂

[Somniloquism]

I know there has been multiple winners, just stating it is nice to have a list of non-winners as it is not like he hasn't won it in the past for his tremendous feats in 2011. As for the length of time. The only big thing Cav did in the sport in 2024  was win the 1 stage needed, (which was tremendous at his age and the capstone to the feat).

As for Root, yes, they have mentioned his long term feats, but this year he also has 6 centuries for England and is classed as the best Test batsman in the world (again). So I do think he has more of a claim then Mark, who I suspect might get an honour award anyway.

Cavendish wins BBC Lifetime Achievement award

[cdbearsfan]

Sounds about right. I don't think Cavendish has done anything more special than in previous years. If a cyclist is going to win based solely on achievements in 2024, then it should be Tom Pidcock.

[olaftab]

It has to be Keely, if not it’s rigged.

[Brazilian Villain]

It has to be Keely, if not it’s rigged.

Just as well she can run quicker than Jenny Meadows can finish an answer.

[maidstonevillain]

She normally interviews well Jenny Meadows, but I don't think Gabby got the answer she was after. I think she was looking for the usual Keely gets a pretty free rein answer, because "a happy Keely is a fast Keely"