by It’s the most beautiful time of the year… Spotted season! Britain’s 2023 sports hero or heroine has been nominated to six nominees by a panel of judges including Euro 2022 winner Ellen White, former Olympian Colin Jackson and Paralympian Ellie Simmons. The winner, determined by a public vote, will be presented at a ceremony on Tuesday, with Clare Balding, Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott appearing live from Manchester as the award celebrates its 70th year. Here are the six nominees.
The bookmakers’ favorite to become the 15th women’s singles winner, a win for Earps would make it a second straight Lioness award, after Beth Mead claimed the 2022 award. While personality isn’t a qualifying factor for Spoty, Earps has it in spades: she was a standout in helping England to the World Cup final, where she produced one of the most iconic sporting moments of the year, saving a penalty from Jenni from Spain. Hermoso before quickly shouting ‘fucking yes, fuck off!’ as the cameras zoom in on her euphoric face. There was an uproar when Nike did not supply the 30-year-old England goalkeeper’s shirt before and during the World Cup. More than 170,000 people signed a petition in protest, and Nike later reversed its decision, with the £100 jersey selling out in hours.
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy’s return to form is welcome, even if his drought is now set to extend to 10 years. The Northern Irishman fell short at the US Open, one shot behind winner Wyndham Clark, but there was plenty of success on the course. McIlroy hit arguably the shot of the year – a 2-iron into the wind to 10 feet – to birdie and win the Scottish Open on the 72nd hole, and his flawless performance in the Ryder Cup was reason for Europe’s attitudinal victory over the US. McIlroy’s return to the No. 1 in February emphasized his off-course views against LIV and the civil war that has engulfed golf in 2023, where he was the leader, talisman and elder statesman of the game at 34 years.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Is Katarina Johnson-Thompson the best athlete in the world? The Liverpool-born heptathlete won her second world title in August, an unlikely comeback from injuries – a torn ankle and a torn calf – that blighted the final years of her career. But the British public love a story about dogs and Johnson-Thompson delivered a lifetime best in the shot and jaw to claim victory. The 30-year-old is aiming for her first Olympic gold next year in Paris but she knows from experience the difficulties of elite sport, with the symbol of a blue shell from the Mario Kart game tattooed over her scar. Achilles. “When life is too good, a blue shell can be hovering around the corner to take you out,” she explained.
Frankie Dettori
Speaking of comebacks, here’s Frankie, the adopted son of British horse racing turned father figure. The Italian jockey is one of only two non-Brits to have scaled the Spoty podium (joining New Zealand speedway star Barry Briggs, who was runner-up twice in the 1960s). In the past Dettori had never been closer than his third place finish in 1996. In 2023, Dettori had a wild year to match his persona: a safe ride, a retirement U-turn, and a triumphant and dramatic final drive at the champions. Day at Ascot (where his newly erected statue now stands), triumphed in the Champion Stakes in his last outing on British soil, adding to his Gold Cup wins at Royal Ascot, a Coronation Cup win at Epsom and two Classic wins .
Alfie Hewett
In terms of titles won, Hewett is the runaway leader here. The wheelchair tennis player is a phenomenon, having won seven singles tournaments, including two majors, and just missing a third grand slam title at Wimbledon. Ranked No. 1 in singles, he and Gordon Reid also claimed three of the four doubles majors available in Australia, France and SW19, and Hewett played a central role in Great Britain’s World Cup glory. Already an OBE aged 26, Hewett could become the first para-athlete to win the Spoty – Tanni Grey-Thompson and Jonnie Peacock finished third in 2000 and 2017 respectively.
Stuart Broad
It’s not just scores, numbers and titles that create sporting legacies but moments and memories, especially in cricket: Andrew Flintoff edging Brett Lee at Edgbaston, Shane Warne’s Ball of the Century, Monty Panesar and Jimmy Anderson’s last wicket stand. Broad cemented his own legacy with a farewell to the final Ashes Test after a shock announcement of his retirement. After scoring a six with his last ball as a batsman, he took the last wicket of the match to give England victory, finishing with 604 career Test wickets. Broad hasn’t had a great year, but few doubt his legend in an England shirt and there were no finer finishes than at the sunny Oval in July.
Where there is a barrier…
Spoty has always been controversial. Roger Bannister received the first ever award in 1954 for his pacer, Chris Chataway. This year, likewise, there were some omissions from the main shortlist which caused a stir. Josh Kerr, the great British 1500m world champion, told the Guardian last week that he was “hugely disappointed” not to be nominated. World Athletics president Seb Coe was a little more precise: “Are you laughing, Spoty?” he tweeted. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham has a claim after becoming the world’s best male footballer, while Ronnie O’Sullivan celebrated his eighth UK snooker championship three days before his 48th birthday, making him the most youngest and oldest of the event.
Follow it live with Barry Glendenning at theguardian.com or watch on BBC One from 7pm GMT on Tuesday, iPlayer or on the BBC Sport website. To vote, scan the QR code on the screen during the broadcast or vote online here. The main award will be presented at approximately 9pm GMT.
