BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 – A Continued Decline in a Previous Must See Sports Review
SPOTY – Has it had it’s Day
I remember as a lad back in the 60’s keenly watching every SPOTY, it meant something and was a great review of the years sport. But now it appears to have been devalued by the BBC.
Over the years my desire to watch SPOTY has waned, and last night’s winner possibly shows why I now don’t watch it, and why viewing figures are at an all-time low.
The programme used to be on the last prime time Sunday evening before Christmas, but not now. It has for the past two years been relegated to a much criticised mid-week slot. Last year’s viewing figures were down to 3.1 million. I dread to think how much further they declined last night.
I do not like to criticise people, but I think when we look back in years to come, many will be asking, “Who is ME?” Many yesterday possibly already said just this. But congratulations to her, those that cared to vote, decided she was SPOTY. Those that didn’t vote, will like me, be rather more critical of the format.
I recall fondly many of the past winners of my youth, and many would be wondering how such great sporting greats are now associated with an England Goalkeeper – a woman at that – who didn’t win the World Cup.
Many great England goalkeepers, including GB, PS, RC, DS, would never have dreamed or expected to even make the list for SPOTY – despite their similar achievements in many England sides – let alone think about being the winner of the accolade.
There was a time when SPOTY was awarded to a Winner, a true sporting great in the year – and with no disrespect to ME- but was last night’s result a victory for a decline in standards or expectations? I’m not sure that a visit to Buckingham Palace will be on the cards anytime soon for the past three winners, not like some of the other recent past winners.
Please don’t get me wrong, I enjoy England women’s football. Their achievement in winning the 2022 Euros was great – something the men would love to emulate – they also performed wonderfully at the 2023 World Cup, only just missing out on the ultimate prize – see my previous blog – but they didn’t win, and they were there as a team. A performance and legacy the team can all be proud of, but a team performance, and to single out ME for SPOTY in my mind was not appropriate.
SPOTY has possibly had its day as a meaningful measure of sporting greatness, or perhaps I am victim of my sporting history and morals. A dinosaur in a modern age when standards and values have been eroded for the sake of mediocrity, sought by those in charge, who do not want to upset the minority, who are possibly self-opinionated and full of their own self-importance, with views to voice.
Three women winners in the last three years does buck the trend of the last 70 years, where 22% of SPOTY have been women. 16 women winners is not that surprising, especially when men’s sport is of such a high standard. Good for the girls though, but there is no way to compare between Male and Female sport. Perhaps it’s a time for separate Men’s and Women’s awards, but possibly that is too controversial in our seemingly inclusive times.
I look back over the list of SPOTY and see on the whole a list a true greats – with the odd one or two exceptions. Skaters, I mean! – but generally all winners are worthy of the award, albeit the odd one or two caused my eyebrow to raise. I list the details for those that are bothered or care.
Past Winners by Sport:-
F1 = 8 ; Tennis = 7 ; Football = 6 ; Cricket, Boxing, Cycling = 5 ; Skating = 3 ; Golf, Swimming, Eventing = 2 ; Snooker, Show Jumping, Racing, Rugby Union, Motor Cycling, Rowing = 1 .
Winners by Gender:-
Men = 55 Women = 16
List of Past Winners:-
1950’s : Sir Chris Chataway; Gordon Pirie; Jim Laker; Dai Rees; Ian Black; John Surtees.
1960’s : David Broome; Sir Stirling Moss; Anita Lonsbrough; Dorothy Hyman; Mary Rand; Tommy Simpson; Bobby Moore; Sir Henry Cooper; David Hemery; Ann Jones.
1970’s : Sir Henry Cooper; HRH Princess Anne; Dame Mary Peters; Sir Jackie Stewart; Sir Brendan Foster; David Steele; John Curry; Virginia Wade; Steve Ovett; Lord Coe.
1980’s : Robin Cousins; Lord Botham; Daley Thompson; Steve Cram; Torvill and Dean; Barry McGuigan; Nigel Mansell; Fatima Whitbread; Steve Davis; Sir Nick Faldo.
1990’s : Paul Gascoigne; Liz McColgan; Nigel Mansell; Linford Christie; Damon Hill; Jonathan Edwards; Damon Hill; Greg Rusedski; Michael Owen; Lennox Lewis.
2000’s : Sir Steve Redgrave; David Beckham; Paula Radcliffe; Jonny Wilkinson; Dame Kelly Holmes; Andrew Flintoff; Zara Phillips; Joe Calzaghe; Sir Chris Hoy; Ryan Giggs.
2010’s : Sir AP McCoy; Mark Cavendish; Sir Bradley Wiggins; Sir Andy Murray; Sir Lewis Hamilton; Sir Andy Murray; Sir Andy Murray; Sir Mo Farah; Geraint Thomas; Ben Stokes.
2020’s : Sir Lewis Hamilton; Emma Raducanu; Beth Mead; Mary Earps.
