Sports Personality of the Year 2009

[Dave]

I think Gigg's nomination is more of a reflection on an ongoing succesful career, so probably not appropriate for SPOTY. dont think murrary should be in the nominees really, although he's won 6 tournaments he's gained nothing in the majors on last year really. and as for Wiggins, think he's been pretty unlucky to get left out, would have to say, in my opinion his tour was more impressive than Cavs, despite the stage wins.

Apart from Andrew Strauss and maybe Giggsy, although he is on Match of the Day, aren't they just people who have appeared mainly on BBC sports programmes?

due to the fact that the BBC covers most athletics, F1 and gymnastics, yes

[mappingmum]

I would have to agree the nominations this year lack the "wow" factor from last year.

Last year the short list in an Olympic year was Rebecca Adlington, Nicole Cooke, Chris Hoy, Rebecca Romero, Bradley Wiggins, Ben Ainslie, Christine Ohuruogu, Lewis Hamilton, Joe Calzaghe and Andy Murray. A lot of quality there!

I reckon Joe Public will vote for Button, although my personal choice would be Jess Ennis.

[ba-ba]

the phrase 'sport's PERSONALITY' has always wrangled with me, most people shortlisted in previous years have little personality - Andy Murray almost has less personality than Tim Henman - and that's no mean feat!
When it comes to 'personality' Haye should get it for his banterous build-up to the Valuev bout. When it comes to sporting achievement, Wiggins should get it, no contest

[Drdr]

Jess Ennis gets my vote - to keep the lead all the way through seven events is no mean feat.

[harry]

Overseas SPOTY: Yes this would be a fantastic TV moment.
I expect you were thinking we were going to give this to Usain Bolt or Roger Federer but actually we're going to take you to a sport you know nothing about and that we actually have no real footage of and can't explain very well and give the award to some people you never heard of who did a really nice thing for a fellow competitor in trouble.

It's a nice idea though! You could just vote for Theirry here instead:
http://news.worldofo.com/2009/11/30/vot ... -2009-now/

Btw, while we're on the subject, can anyone who's been on a 1st aid course recently tell me. If there is a stick 12cm into someone's leg are you actually supposed to pull the stick out or leave the stick in? I'm not trying to undermine the herosim but I think enough time has passed now that I ask this question, there are arguments for and against I suppose but what would a 1st aid expert advise?

[Becks]

I've always been told to keep it in, and was pretty surprised to hear they'd removed it. My first aid is just about up for renewal though, so maybe the guidelines have changed! Don't want to cause further damage to tissue and potential open up blood vessels that might be blocked by the object was the reasoning I thought.

[andypat]

Giggs simply there because if they didnt have a footballer the event wouldnt be perceived as "interesting" enough for the general population.

Its always different in an Olympic year so comparison with last year a bit unfair. I'd be surprised if Button doesnt win. Hamilton would have won last year if it hadnt been an olympic year. He nearly won it the year before when he didnt win the WC. Grand Prix has much higher profile that eg Le Tour.

Robert Millar won the KOTM in the tour but didnt even make the podium. I think if Cav had won the Green jersey maybe he'd have a beter shout, but he didnt.

Truth is although winning Tour stages is a big thing in the world of cycling - thats about where it ends.

[Scott]

If there is a stick 12cm into someone's leg are you actually supposed to pull the stick out or leave the stick in?

As Bescks says, I'm pretty sure you should leave it in and pad around it - it's probably doing a fairly good job of restricting blood flow out through the hole.

[Dave]

Giggs simply there because if they didnt have a footballer the event wouldnt be perceived as "interesting" enough for the general population.

so why were there no footballers in 2006, 2007, 2008?

[Rockaldo]

Giggs simply there because if they didnt have a footballer the event wouldnt be perceived as "interesting" enough for the general population.

so why were there no footballers in 2006, 2007, 2008?

Hahaha good facts there dave.

I find it interesting that people think the sports personality of the year needs to have a good personality or have some innate ability for stand up comedy. Look at the list of winners, they won because of their sporting achievement not because of their cracking banter. Its a bit like sprint orienteering. In the fact that you don't actually sprint the whole way round but its still called sprint orienteering.

Giggs has my vote. He once told me a joke about chickens crossing roads. Personality.

[Gonzo]

Personally I am devastated that Brownlee has not been nominated. He may not have set the world alight on Question of Sport but as an athlete he is right up there at the top.

[madmike]

I've always been told to keep it in, and was pretty surprised to hear they'd removed it. My first aid is just about up for renewal though, so maybe the guidelines have changed! Don't want to cause further damage to tissue and potential open up blood vessels that might be blocked by the object was the reasoning I thought.

you are right Becks - we were taught leave it in and make a ring bandage out of clothing i.e. donut-shaped to place over it and bind around it.

[mappingmum]

so why were there no footballers in 2006, 2007, 2008?

That's a very good question!

I'd like to think it's because football is recognised as a team sport and the achievement belongs to the team not an individual. . . . but if you then follow that logic through, no team sports members should be appearing in this list - that's what's the team award is for.

[andypat]

Fair point although they did manage to fit in a couple of lifetime acheivment awards to Bobbys Robson and Charlton to make up for this glaring lack of consideration for the football mad viewing public!

[Dave]

so you are now condemning the talent of a dead man and a still living national hero?