BBC Sports Personality of the Year odds: Olympic hero leads the race

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award is an annual staple that British sports fans look forward to each December. The main award is given to the best-performing British athlete of the year and there have been plenty of big-name winners over the decades.

Earlier today, the six final nominees for the award were announced, but according to the bookies, only two of them stand any real chance of winning it. Here is a rundown of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year odds and the merits of each nominee.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year odds – the contenders

Keely Hodgkinson – 1/3

Keely Hodgkinson fulfilled her destiny in 2024, winning the Olympic Gold Medal in the 800m in Paris. It was Britain's first Olympic gold medal on the track since Mo Farah won the 5000m and 10,000m in Rio in 2016 and earned the 22-year-old her first-ever major title.

Hodkinson has previously finished as the runner-up in the 800m at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and at two World Championships so her redemption arc in Paris is a story that the British public generally love. At 1/3, she is considered the red-hot favourite and rightly so.

Luke Littler – 12/5

Luke Littler burst onto the darts scene at the 2023 PDC World Championships this time last year, and his run to the final took what is still seen by some as a mere ‘pub sport' to a whole new level. The 16-year-old has proved throughout 2024 that he is far from a flash in the pan, winning 10 titles including the Premier League and the Grand Slam of Darts.

Contentiously, the man who beat Littler in the World Championship final and the World Number One, Luke Humphries, hasn't made the grade, which will no doubt irk some darts purists. However, at 12/5, Littler is the biggest threat to Hodgkinson.

Alex Yee – 60/1

Alex Yee had a stunning year in the brutal Triathlon, becoming only the second man in history to win the Olympics and World Championships in the same year. Yee's sprint finish to overtake New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde in the dying moments in Paris was one of the most iconic shots of the games from a British perspective

Unfortunately for him, the Triathlon isn't one of the most glamorous sports in the world so 60/1 is a fair price despite his remarkable achievements.

Joe Root – 66/1

It's been a stellar year for the man who can now call himself England's greatest-ever Batsman. In 2024, Root became England's leading scorer in test cricket, England's leading century-maker and played his part in England's record test match partnership.

Root has also moved up to fifth in the all-time scoring list in test cricket but what will prevent him from winning the award is the fact that 2024 wasn't an Ashes or World Cup year. If the Yorkshireman can repeat his form next year and lead England to an Ashes win in Australia, then he will stand a much better chance of winning SPOTY.

Jude Bellingham – 100/1

Jude Bellingham would be right at the top of this list had England managed to overcome Spain in the Euro 2024 final but as the Three Lions lost, the Real Madrid man has little to no chance of winning. It was still a remarkable year for Bellingham as he played a huge part in Real Madrid winning the Champions League. He's yet to emulate last season's highs, but the Blancos remain amongst the favourites to lift the Champions League.

Sarah Storey – 100/1

Sarah Storey is another long shot for SPOTY but her achievements are arguably more impressive than anyone else on the list, at least in terms of longevity. She won two gold medals at the most recent Paralympics, taking her overall tally of Olympic medals to 30. While she is now a cyclist, her first success in the Paralympics came in 1992 as a swimmer.

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