Keely Hodgkinson has been honored as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year at an awards ceremony held in Salford, recognizing her remarkable achievements in 2024, particularly her gold medal victory in the Olympic 800m event in Paris.
This accolade marks a significant milestone for Hodgkinson, who previously secured a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and has twice finished second at the World Athletics Championships. Her performance this year also included defending her European title and setting a new British record of 1 minute 54.61 seconds, positioning her as the sixth fastest woman in history.
During the ceremony, Hodgkinson expressed her gratitude, stating, "This year has been absolutely incredible for me. I achieved everything I set out to do on the outdoor track, which is rare, so I'm so grateful to be in this position." She emerged victorious from a public vote, surpassing a shortlist that featured notable athletes such as Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey and football star Jude Bellingham.
Additionally, 16-year-old Luke Littler made headlines as the youngest player to reach the World Darts Championship final, further showcasing the diverse talent recognized at the event. Mark Cavendish received the Lifetime Achievement award for his record-setting 35th Tour de France stage win, highlighting the exceptional contributions of athletes across various sports.