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Lewis Hamilton was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, marking a year of exceptional professional achievement and political activism that sought to change the form of sport that it has dominated for a decade.
Hamilton won a public vote ahead of fellow nominees Stuart Broad, Hollie Doyle, Tyson Fury, Jordan Henderson and Ronnie O’Sullivan. In November he won his seventh world title, a record shared with Michael Schumacher. He was also steadfast in his support of the Black Lives Matter movement and launched the Hamilton Commission to bring about “real, tangible and measurable change” in the diversity of motorsports.
“I am very grateful to the British public,” said Hamilton. “I think it has been a long journey together. I know there has been a lot of support, especially in the UK, but also around the world with the British in all these different races. So for you to call tonight and give me this great honor, I am truly very grateful.
“This year has been a year of great growth, amidst the difficulties we have faced, but I feel like I have really found my compass this year. And I feel like there is a great deal of work to be done in many areas. And this is probably one of the first years that I felt like there was something different driving me at the center, driving diversity within our industry, using my voice for something much bigger than myself. “
Marcus Rashford was not in the running for the main award, but he symbolized the unique nature of this year’s ceremony by collecting a special award from the panel for his charitable work during the pandemic.
Rashford’s determination to “end child food poverty” generated a great deal of public support and more of a turnaround from the government. The 23-year-old’s support for the enduring circumstances he experienced as a child showed not only the influence of sports stars, but also the human spirit in what was a flash of light in a gloomy year.
“For me, it all started to grow when I was a kid,” Rashford told presenters Gary Lineker and Gabby Logan on a socially estranged stage at Salford’s MediaCity. “I think I started a 100 meter 50 meter race behind everyone else. Basic things were harder for me to do. It was a nightmare, but in the end I got to where I wanted to go, and ever since then I’ve had this thing gnawing at me to do everything I can to protect the next generation. “
Due to the disruption caused by Covid, there were a number of changes to Spoty’s usual dazzling production values. While some of the six nominees for the main award attended, there was no studio audience. Instead, a 1,000-screen video wall featured the previous winners, members of the public and NHS staff.
Another consequence of the pandemic was more welcome, as the program put an additional emphasis on community and grassroots contributions. In turn, Spoty’s emotional moments were even more poignant than usual. An example of this was the award for anonymous young hero Capt Tom. The new award is named after centennial Captain Tom Moore, who raised £ 38.9 million for NHS charities during the first wave of Covid, and was himself the winner of this year’s Helen Rollason award for ‘inspiration versus to adversity. “
Nine-year-old Tobias Weller was named the anonymous young hero. Inspired by Captain Tom, Weller, who has cerebral palsy and autism, completed two marathons on his walker this year and has so far raised over £ 150,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Paces School.
Upon receiving their award from Captain Tom in a pre-recorded meeting, the mutual recognition and warmth between the couple was inescapably moving. “He was so inspiring to me during my marathons and now I met him in person,” Weller said as he stood under a gazebo with his mother, 5 meters from Captain Tom. “I feel tremendous.”
The unacknowledged adult hero award, often the emotional center of the show, was posthumously awarded to Matiu Ratana. Matiu, known as Matt, was killed in September when he was shot by a suspect while on duty at the Croydon Police Station. The New Zealand-born officer, who served in the metropolitan police for 30 years, also volunteered as head coach of the East Grinstead rugby club. He was the subject of an inspiring video tribute from his family and former colleagues who announced the launch of the Matiu Ratana Rugby Foundation.
Liverpool won the team of the year award and their manager, Jürgen Klopp, the manager of the year after a commanding season in the Premier League led to their first title in 30 years. Along the way, and despite a four-month hiatus due to the pandemic, Liverpool set records for the most home wins (18), the most consecutive wins (18), and the largest lead at the top of the table (25 points, although this was reduced to 18 at the end of the season).
Reds captain Jordan Henderson was one of the top award nominees and received praise from Klopp, who wrote and read a letter to the 30-year-old, praising his ability to overcome criticism and bring a team together. ” without a superstar, but you’re a superstar by making the team work, “Klopp said.
In the other awards given on the night, Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix was named Young Sports Personality of the Year after claiming her first solo international gold medal at the Fina Diving Grand Prix. Khabib Nurmagomedov was voted by the public as world sports star of the year. The UFC fighter retired in the summer after a professional record of 29 wins and no losses.
