Golfer Rory McIlroy is the only non-Olympics or Paralympics star with a chance of winning the coveted BBC prize on December 16
THE Sports Personality of the Year shortlist is a 2012 Olympics roll of honour — with 11 gold medallists up for the prize.
Golfer Rory McIlroy, 23, is the only other sports star with a chance of winning the coveted BBC prize on December 16.
And he thinks the line-up “too strong” for him.
The list includes three Paralympics stars and five women.
The other idols up for the prize are boxer Nicola Adams, 30, sailor Ben Ainslie, 35, athlete Jessica Ennis, 26, runner Mo Farah, 29, rower Katherine Grainger, 37, cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, 36, tennis champ Andy Murray, 25, swimmer Ellie Simmonds, 18, cyclist Sarah Storey, 35, athlete David Weir, 33, and cyclist Bradley Wiggins, 32.
When asked who should get the award, most contestants chose rivals.
Mo Farah was completely honest and said: “I want to win it myself.”
Speaking to Radio Times, he added: “What a year I have had. It will never be the same again.”
Jessica Ennis and Ellie Simmonds told the magazine that Mo should win for his gold medals at 5,000 and 10,000 metres.
David Weir, Ben Ainslie, Sarah Storey and Sir Chris Hoy all picked Tour de France hero and gold-medal winning cyclist Bradley Wiggins.
Sarah said: “For me the vote should be behind Bradley.
“To see him win the Tour de France and Olympic double before we started competing really inspired us. Just being on the list with him is a huge honour.”
This summer bookmakers Ladbrokes were so confident of a win by Wiggins they paid out early to punters backing him.
They have now reopened the book with him as 2-5 favourite. Mo Farah is 4-1 and Andy Murray is third at 7-1.
Spokeswoman Jessica Bridge said: “This is the greatest shortlist in the history of the show and any other year some rank outsiders would have been favourites to win.
“We think Wiggins is miles ahead of his rivals in the grouping.”
The shortlist has frequently been made up of 10 people but this year has been extended because of the huge success Britain has had in competitions over the past 12 months.
BBC sport director Barbara Slater, who headed the panel that chose the finalists, said the glittering list could have been even longer.
She said: “We extended it from 10 to 12 but at times we all wished that it was nearer 15 or 20.
“Team GB notched up an incredible 29 gold medals, with Paralympics GB adding a further 34.
“It was very difficult to leave off a number of other Olympians and Paralympians.
The Sports Personality of the Year will be screened on BBC1 on December 16 at 7.30pm. Viewers will vote for the winner on the night.
Who’s your money on? SPOTY 2012 betting (odds by Ladbrokes)
- Bradley Wiggins 2/5
- Mo Farah 5/1
- Andy Murray 8/1
- Jessica Ennis 10/1
- David Weir 25/1
- Ellie Simmonds 50/1
- Rory McIIroy 100/1
- Sir Chris Hoy 150/1
- Ben Ainslie 150/1
- Sarah Storey 200/1
- Nicola Adams 250/1
- Katherine Grainger 250/1
