The BBC's Sports Personality of the Year has long divided opinion - can it really be about personality when Nigel Mansell has won it twice? But however nebulous the criteria for winning, Keely Hodgkinson ticked every possible box in 2024. She was a cold-blooded killer on the track, a free spirit off it: Killing Eve's Villanelle in super spikes.
What makes Hodgkinson so interesting - aside from her immense talent - is that she does things on her own terms. The Olympic Games in Paris was no different. In the British prep camp she walked around with Chanel sunglasses and a Louis Vuitton handbag. Several times staff pointed out that it was not official GB kit, but she just smiled and carried on.
Her confidence manifested itself in a different way in the 800m final in Paris. Conventional wisdom suggested that the faster the race, the greater her chance of victory. Instead Hodgkinson took the lead after 300m and only slowly wound it up, before turning on the turbochargers in the home straight. It was a moment of glory and sweet dominance. The fact that she had won silver three times in major championships - the Olympics in 2021 and the worlds in 2022 and 2023 - made the step to the highest step of the podium all the sweeter.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin December 18, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin December 18, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Chelsea's £89m man Mudryk in 'shock' after failed drug test
Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football after being notified of a positive drug test by the Football Association.
'Ready for a new challenge' Rashford accepts United time is up but will not rock boat
Marcus Rashford's almost 20-year association with Manchester United looks set to come to an end after the striker acknowledged: \"I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps.\"
Fans face alcohol ban at Saudi World Cup matches
Football fans will be banned from drinking alcohol in stadiums at the 2034 World Cup after last week's controversial award of the tournament to Saudi Arabia.
Arteta wants Arsenal to reach last four and 'build momentum'
Mikel Arteta believes that lifting the Carabao Cup can be the springboard to Arsenal winning bigger trophies as they prepare to face Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals tonight.
Suspended Slot admits Premier League referees are testing him
Arne Slot has said he must reflect on the touchline behaviour that has attracted three yellow cards this season, but he admitted Premier League referees are breaking his limits.
Promoter expects Uefa to authorise new Super League plans
'Unify League' rebrand seeks governing body endorsement after initial rejection in 2021
Mudryk mystery deepens as doping test failure puts stalled career in jeopardy
One sad reality of misfiring winger's absence is that it will be unlikely to affect Chelsea's hopes of challenging for title
Macario at the double as Chelsea top group
A 10-minute storm brought by Catarina Macario was enough to see Chelsea through.
'I like to just be a simple guy. I don't want to be an icon'
Oleksandr Usyk boosted the morale of Ukrainian soldiers by beating Fury once before and is in mood to do it again
Vinícius and Bonmatí crowned Fifa's best players
Vinícius Júnior and Aitana Bonmatí were named the top footballers of the year at Fifa's Best Awards in Doha last night, with Emma Hayes following up her Ballon d'Or win with the women's coach of the year accolade.
