SPOTY - Tom Daly

[WhyOhWine]

I caught a bit of SPOTY at the weekend. Not surprised to see Emma win. Tom Daly seems like a nice chap, but did wonder about him coming second. Why were his achievements rated more highly than other Olympians, including those who got more medals than him or who (like the Kennys) have won lots of medals over a number of olympics?

Seems particularly strange because he is part of a pair - like giving a prize to Torvill but not Dean

Or is it down to "personality"?

I mean....it is in the name - sports personality of the year rather than sports person of the year which would suggest more than just the best ranking. I think it is very mu h based on his personality - he's been diving for a long time so people know a lot about his "journey" - missing out on gold in prior Olympics, his dad's death etc. He's active on social media and was outspoken on gay rights etc during the Olympics.

He's very high profile.

It’s personality! He’s very relatable. He’s been around forever; the gay rights; the baby; the knitting; his dad’s death.. He’s a nice guy. No siliyness, just gets in with diving (solo and pairs) and being lovely.

should have been Dame Sarah Storey

TD has won medals over several Olympics, too but that's irrelevant anyway because it's
"of the year".

But yes, it's sports 'personality' not sports achievement, and he's very likeable.

He won an individual medal too this year - bronze I think.

I do like him, and if he came second based on personality fair enough rather than (just) sporting achievement, but there are lots of examples of people winning/being placed over the years who could not really be described as being relatable/big personality.
Plus if it is down to things beyond the sporting arena, Marcus Rashford should have been up there.

Don't have an issue with it, just trying to work out what is taken into account!

I’m just glad he didn’t win, I find him irritating, but I know he’s loved on here.

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads

It’s personality! He’s very relatable. He’s been around forever; the gay rights; the baby; the knitting; his dad’s death.. He’s a nice guy. No siliyness, just gets in with diving (solo and pairs) and being lovely.

should have been Dame Sarah Storey

Apart from the fact he lobbies for unfettered access to rent women's bodies and sell their babies to him.

I imagine the process of compiling the short list takes all sorts of factors into account including ensuring that the TV show has wide appeal and therefore gets decent viewing figures

The fact that he came second in the public vote suggests that the voting public agreed that he deserved his place in the short list

I didn't watch the show but glad Emma won

Tom Daley won gold in synchro but is an amazing diver in his own right. Has been top of his game for many years, in a sport we used to be shit at and made an amazing come back to win bronze this year.