Alistair Brownlee shortlisted for SPOTY award

Alistair Brownlee has become the first triathlete to be shortlisted for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in the event’s 62-year history.

Brownlee lines up alongside a host of sporting greats, including Andy Murray, Mo Farah, Jamie Vardy, Sarah Storey and Nicola Adams. The nomination follows an outstanding summer for the older Brownlee, after he became the first triathlete ever to retain an Olympic title when he won gold ahead of younger brother, Jonathan, in Rio.

But it was his feats at the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Cozumel, Mexico, in September that shot him to global prominence. The video of Alistair running with an exhausted Jonathan to the finishing line became the BBC’s most watched ever. Alistair could have won the race, but sacrificed victory to help his stricken brother across the line.

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“To be included in the short list is a huge honour, especially given the number of Team GB multi-medallists and outstanding sporting performances this year,” commented Alistair Brownlee.

Jonathan Brownlee said: “I’m really pleased for Alistair, he’s always been a big fan of the BBC Sports Personality Awards. I hope people will get behind him and vote.”

Public voting will decide the winners at the televised event on Sunday 18 December in Birmingham.

Full list of BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards nominees:

Nicola Adams – Boxing, Gareth Bale – Football, Alistair Brownlee – Triathlon, Sophie Christiansen – Equestrian, Kadeena Cox – Athletics/Cycling, Mo Farah – Athletics, Jason Kenny – Cycling, Laura Kenny – Cycling, Andy Murray – Tennis, Adam Peaty – Swimming, Kate Richardson-Walsh – Hockey, Nick Skelton – Equestrian, Dame Sarah Storey – Cycling, Jamie Vardy – Football, Max Whitlock – Gymnastics, Danny Willett – Golf.

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Liz Barrett Freelance sports journalist, copyriter and editor

About

Former 220 deputy editor Liz Barrett started work on the magazine in 2007 as staff writer. During her 18 years with the brand, she reported live from almost every major triathlon across the globe, including the Ironman World Championship, the 70.3 World Championship, six World Triathlon Grand Finals, Challenge Roth, the 2014 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, the London and Paris Olympics and the Rio Paralympics, to name but a few. Name a pro and chances are she’ll have interviewed them, so, unsurprisingly, she’s still our go-to pro-athlete expert. She now works as a freelance journalist, copywriter and editor.