Introducing Keely Hodgkinson, 2024’s Sports Personality Of The Year

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Here's what you missed last night

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British sports’ biggest night took place last night, with eight worthy winners walking away with prestigious commendations. We’re of course talking about the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year; here’s what you missed in 2024.

Gabby Logan, Clare Balding & Alex Scott at BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2024. (BBC/Kerry Spicer)

Who Won BBC Sports Personality Of The Year?

Last night (Tuesday 17 December), athlete Keely Hodgkinson was crowned the BBC’s 2024 Sports Personality of the Year, joining a glittering back catalogue of names, including Lewis Hamilton (2020), Andy Murray (2013, 2015 & 2016), Bradley Wiggins (2012), Zara Phillips (2006) and plenty more.

Hodgkinson’s win makes it four years in a row that women have been awarded the prestigious title, joining Mary Earps (2023, football), Beth Mead (2022, football) and Emma Radacanu (2021, tennis). The 800m sprinter was crowned at a ceremony in Salford, where eight awards in total were presented to this year’s greatest sports people. Here’s the rundown.

All Of The 2024 Sports Personality Of The Year Winners

Sports Personality of the Year: Keely Hodgkinson, 800m sprinter
Young Sports Personality of the Year: Luke Littler, darts
Lifetime Achievement: Sir Mark Cavendish, track cyclist
Team of the Year: Wigan Warriors, rugby league
Coach of the Year: Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, athletics
World Sports Star: Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis, Swedish-American pole vaulter
Helen Rollason Award: Dr Mark Prince, champion boxer and founder of the Kiyan Prince Foundation
Unsung Hero: Jean Paton for her contributions to sailing

Keely Hodgkinson at BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2024. (BBC/Kerry Spicer)

Who Is Keely Hodgkinson?

Born 3 March 2002, the 22-year-old Keely Hodgkinson is a British middle-distance runner hailing from Manchester. Competing at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Hodgkinson shot to fame after bagging the silver medal in the 800m race, breaking the British record set by Kelly Holmes in 1995. In 2024, she went one step further, bagging gold in the same race at the Paris Olympics.

‘I’m actually in a bit of shock,’ Hodgkinson said on her win. ‘I’m more excited for my coach to be honest, because I wouldn’t be where I am without him. I’m so grateful to be in this position.’ Coincidentally, Hodgkinson’s coaches Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows also walked away from the ceremony, sharing the Coach of the Year award – so it’s smiles all around.

The Top Three

Close to clinching the top prize but just missing out were cricketer Joe Root in third place and darts player Luke Littler in second place. Littler, of course, also bagged Young Sports Personality of the Year, with para-swimmer Wlliam Ellard and skateboarder Sky Brown runners up.