BBC Sports Personality of the year - the shortlist

[NorthernLurker]

Announced yesterday - 10 men, 2 women. Now is it me or is that a woefully poor number of women on the shortlist? Last year there were 5. In 2011 there was a fuss about the all male list and a BBC statement said "The current system was introduced in 2006 and at least two women have always previously been shortlisted for the main award" So the system was changed and this year, the second year it's been in operation two women have been shortlisted.....is that the minimum they reckon they can get away with

From memort I think the women's cricket team had a successful ashes too - but no nomination for one of the team there. Who would you want to have see nominated?

[sisterbrute]

Slightly off topic, but Judy Murray is not pushy nor attention seeking. She attends her son's major games and [shock, horror] wants him to win - and it's quite stressful, so she doesn't smile much. Would you say the same about his dad? Classic misogyny.

[Biggedybiggedybongsoitis]

The person who made the pushy comment is called Flora. Can a woman be misogynist? I imagine Judy has been a huge influence on his career. She should be very proud.

[Floralnomad]

I do think she is very pushy and I'm entitled to my opinion ,and why are you bringing his dad into it ? Last Wimbledon Judy Murray was totally embarrassing going on about that other players body ,when she's old enough to be his mother and all the flirting with the chap from 5 live .

[scallopsrgreat]

Glad you picked up on that sister brute. It was a particularly nasty sideswipe.

I don't think that there is any indication that Floralnomad is called Flora or is a woman.

Misogyny isn't a delight that confines itself to men. It's just that men are the primary beneficiaries of it.

[Floralnomad]

FYI I am a woman ,but that doesn't mean I have to be supportive of or like every other woman ,my original comment was in response to the poster who said about him 'remembering to hug his mum' , from what I recall he went up to the box and hugged lots of people ,why he should hug his mum before all those others I have no idea . My point is that although she is now 'big' in british ladies tennis ,even before that anyone who remotely shows an interest would have known who she was whereas I as someone who watches lots of sport and a variety of sports would not recognise the mothers of many other famous sportspeople for example Laura Trotts mother ,Steve Redgraves mother ,David Beckham etc etc .

[scallopsrgreat]

So what? It isn't unusual in Tennis for family members to be involved. Williams sisters, Djokovic, Nadal to name a few off the top of my head.

[scallopsrgreat]

In fact the top 4 male seeds all have great familial support. I would imagine it is essential.

[Floralnomad]

Fine ,as I said its just my own opinion and yes we do all know what uncle Tony and Richard Williams look like but we don't seem to get more interviews with them than the actual player . I suggest if you feel that strongly about it you write to the BBC and suggest they add a new category for Sports Supportive Relative of the year and then you can all vote for her . Ok .

[scallopsrgreat]

I don't particularly care what familial support sports people get, that's the point You are the one who seems to have an issue with it. Or at least an issue with a particular tennis player having support from their mother.

[Floralnomad]

I disagree ,but it don't see why I should be abused for an opinion . I don't have an issue with her supporting her son and never said I did ,but I don't have to like her ,thank you . I doubt I'm the only person in the world with this opinion ,just the only one on this thread .

[scallopsrgreat]

The only person being abusive was you, towards Judith Murray. We were just calling you on it.

[Floralnomad]

I called her a pushy parent ,I don't call that abuse ! You must live a very sheltered life and be lovely to everyone .

[scallopsrgreat]

No abuse is probably too strong a word I was just using the word you used to describe, well no abuse at all. Insult is probably better.

[MillyMollyMama]

Can we get back to sports personality? Ben Ainslee was crewing one of the most expensive racing yachts ever built. This was truly about the right kit! AP is heroic. Most people can never do what he does and the reason he is great is because he can cajole, kid, galvanise and fire up lesser quality racehorses. He does not ride the best ones very often. By the way, horses love to race. That is what they are bred to do. It is not cruel. F1 is largely equipment based, but the driver is a team member and it is the pinacle of Motorsport engineering, so is followed by millions. Many cars are also built in this country so what is wrong with celebrating our engineering success? No GB driver doing that well at the moment though.

Andy Murray won Wimbledon so given that was the first time a Brit has won the mens' title in many peoples' lifetimes I think he will win. Mo has also achieved a unique double/double. Amazing! This year's list will not reflect the Olympics of last year, so people that missed out then will miss out now. I am really struggling to think of a woman, or a women's team, who have achieved major success this year, apart from the two on the list. If the women do well in the Winter Olympics, win Wimbledon, ride the Grand National winner or do something else sensational, they will be on next year's list. Let's hope so.

[scallopsrgreat]

Scottish Women's Curling Team - World Champions
Non Stanford - Triathlon World Champion
Helen Glover/Polly Swann - Rowing World Champions
Becky James - Double World Champion Track Cyclist

Off the top of my head.

[sashh]

I know the beeb isn't perfect, but recently they have covered women's football extensively (possibly the Euros) and the women's rugby series against the All Blacks.

So on the rare occasion my licence money is spent on covering women playing sport, it is to cover women playing sports that are historically played by men.

Where is the netball? Volley ball? Hockey?

[scallopsrgreat]

Good point sashh.

It still smacks of men being the default.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Yes sashh and scallops, Ive never played football or rugby - I did used to play a bit of friendly cricket in the park with my DF and sibs (and sometimes DM)
But much more netball, hockey, and tennis.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Also enjoyed gymnastics particularly

[Metebelis3]

Milly McCoy is not heroic.

As for successful women, this year Laura Trott has won European gold (for the fourth time in a row) in the omnium, also World Cup gold, and the pursuit team won European, world and World Cup gold (for the umpty thrumpty-ith time).

Cycling is a world sport, not a domestic thing (like racing), while like all sports at the elite level there has to be funding it's certainly not as financially exclusive as sailing or motor racing, and it offers people the opportunity for both individual and team success - people who, like LT, achieve both, are ceary exceptional.

[Metebelis3]

Milly and if you really can't see that racing is cruel then I can't help you really. :(

[Slimchance]

That's your opinion Metebelis. With respect, not everyone agrees with it.

I agree with Milly. AP is one of the most dedicated athletes you could come across, and is hugely heroic, skilled, determined and humble. His achievements are tantamount to those of Steve Redgrave or Roger Federer.

[ivykaty44]

I am really struggling to think of a woman, or a women's team, who have achieved major success this year,

where have you been

yet the womans pursuit broke the world record, not by a fraction of a second, not even by a second or two to win gold and be world champions again - but just look by 7 seconds they beat their own world record and juts look at the fab interviews these woman give after their race and then Laura does this