Coe recognised at BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards

The double Gold medallist was presented with a surprise award for his work in bringing the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to London.

Fellow Olympian and London 2012 Ambassador Daley Thompson presented the award, saying: "The Olympic Games won't be a cure-all but it will provide us with opportunities and possibilities.

"These chances are provided by the inspiration of my friend here."

The London 2012 Chair was "flattered and very honoured", saying: "It was a Herculean team effort - all the guys who flew around the world for us and we could not have done it without them and it is for them."

This is not the first Sports Personality of the Year award Coe has received.

In 1979 he won the coveted title after becoming the only man in athletics history to hold three different world records (800m, 1500m and mile) at the same time.

Also at the awards, Ashes star Andrew Flintoff was voted Sports Personality of the Year in a public poll.

Sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey claimed the Young Sports Personality of the Year.

The 17-year-old 2012 hopeful won gold in the 100 metres and 200m at this year's World Youth Championships, the first athlete to complete the sprint double in the tournament's six-year history.

12 December 2005