Alex Yee’s Breakout Season Shakes Up BBC Sports Personality of the Year
Alex Yee might just be the name everyone’s talking about in British sport circles, and for good reason. This year, he seized Olympic triathlon gold in Paris, storming into the lead with a spectacular last-minute push in the final 400 meters—exactly the kind of finish that keeps you glued to your TV. Not only did he clinch the top Olympic spot, but he also wrapped up the world title, putting his stamp firmly on a sport where British athletes have made headlines but rarely dominated so completely. Now, he’s been named as one of the six stars on the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) shortlist, an honor that reflects both his grit and his ability to put triathlon on the national stage.
What sets Yee apart isn’t just the medals. It’s the way he’s shifted the conversation around triathlon. While the sport hasn’t always had a seat at the table with football, athletics, or cricket, Yee’s humility and work ethic have made him a standout. Speaking about the nomination, he admitted it would be "cool for triathlon to be in the conversation." It sure is—his season saw him outpace rivals like New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde, especially at the SuperTri Boston showdown, adding a dramatic edge to his already loaded resume.
SPOTY 2024: Stacked With Sporting Greats
The 2024 BBC Sports Personality shortlist reflects British sport’s depth, bringing together stars from track, field, pitch, velodrome, and the oche. Here’s who’s joining Yee in the limelight:
- Keely Hodgkinson: Just 22 but already a giant in British athletics. She stormed to Olympic gold in the women’s 800m in Paris, and along the way, smashed national records—some call her the country’s middle-distance future.
- Jude Bellingham: The young midfielder who’s taken club football by storm at Real Madrid, winning the La Liga and Champions League double. On and off the pitch, his performances are turning heads.
- Dame Sarah Storey: With 30 Paralympic medals, Storey remains a legend in UK cycling. Her focus, adaptability, and relentless drive have inspired both athletes and fans for decades.
- Joe Root: England’s Test captain and batting lynchpin, Root continues to anchor English cricket, providing stability and excitement through highs and lows in the international game.
- Luke Littler: The darts teenager who’s already mixing it with the sport’s icons. His rapid rise and brash style have lit up packed arenas across the country.
When you put Yee up against this list, you get a real sense of just how competitive British sport feels right now. Each nominee has sparked excitement in wildly different arenas, making this one of the most open SPOTY races in years.
The ceremony airs December 17 on BBC One, bringing together sports fans for an annual celebration that’s about more than trophies; it’s about unforgettable moments, underdog stories, and the humans behind the highlights. This year, it seems, the debate around who deserves the crown will be as tight and unpredictable as an Olympic sprint finish. For Yee and his fellow nominees, just making this list is a nod to a year packed with brilliance, pressure, and, in Yee’s case, heart-stopping sprints.
Write a comment