I think when most of us heard that the familiar format of Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) was to alter and we were leaving the familiar surrounding of BBC TV Centre for a public airing of the a
I think when most of us heard that the familiar format of Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) was to alter and we were leaving the familiar surrounding of BBC TV Centre for a public airing of the annual awards in the NEC in Birmingham, the jury was out.
However, I think the jury began to look favourably at the proceedings within moments of the Parade of Champions and for all our current and topical names on parade, the two biggest cheers of the night went to Henry Cooper and Barry McGuigan.
Joe Calzaghe, our latest and arguably most illustrious addition to British Boxing World Champions must be wondering what he has to do to win the SPOTY but I was delighted that two of the top three final placing went to Olympic sports.
Beth Tweddle has achieved what no one else in her sport has in this country and won a world championship.
And Zara Phillips, who judging by her engaging surprise when I opened the envelope and Steve plonked the trophy in her hand, had clearly not been swept by public expectation and the bookies odds that morning.
I extended my stay in Birmingham today and addressed the Sport England West Midlands regional conference about Olympic opportunities. I’m now on my way to Hereford to visit the Royal National College for the Blind.
