BBC Sports Personality of The Year

Taking place on 22nd December at Media City UK, the BBC’s complex in Salford, Manchester, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011 was awarded to cyclist Mark Cavendish. With many achievements to his name, his five stage victories in the 2011 Tour de France and road race World Champion crown helped him to top the popularity charts. Golfer Darren Clarke and athlete Mo Farrow were worthy runners up.

In 2010, Sports Personality of The Year was the jockey AP McCoy, with the runners up being Jessica Ennis and Phil Taylor.

Originally conceived in 1954, the BBC Sports Personality of The Year Awards have been held annually, and since 2006 have been held in different venues around the UK. Taking place in December every year, the awards honour all of the country’s top sportsmen and women who have achieved something special or notable during the year. The ceremony culminates in the presentation of the highly recognisable silver plated trophy of a TV camera with a four turret lens.

If you have a passion for cycling following Mark's success in 2011, you may be interested in our Cycling Shops page. 

There are two runners-up each year for the BBC Sports Personality of The Year Awards, and they receive smaller versions of the trophy. Other awards on the night can also include the Overseas Sports Personality of The Year, the Sports Personality of The Year Lifetime Achievement Award and several others. Having evolved from a 45 minute show into a live and glitzy TV show watched by millions of sports fans, the BBC Sports Personality of The Year Awards is a great way to bring so many sporting achievements together into one place.

The move from London to larger venues enabled tickets to be sold to the public, and the popular telephone voting system for viewers that takes place during the show enables anyone to vote for who they would like to win the top BBC Sports Personality of The Year Award.