The voting for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year 2024 award is officially underway. This award celebrates extraordinary achievement and recognizes athletes who have had a remarkable impact on the sport during the past year. The award will be presented live on BBC One on Tuesday, December 17, highlighting the contributions and performances of elite sportsmen and sportswomen from around the globe.
Among the six contenders shortlisted for the 2024 World Sport Star are a diverse group of remarkable athletes who have showcased exceptional talent and endurance in their respective sports. Last year’s winner of this coveted award was football star Erling Haaland, who has set the bar high for this year’s nominees. The anticipation surrounding who will take home the trophy this year is palpable, as fans and sports enthusiasts alike cast their votes.
First among their ranks is Simone Biles, an outstanding gymnast from the United States. After a challenging phase in her career due to mental health struggles during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Biles triumphantly returned to form at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Here, she secured three gold medals in the all-around, team event, and vault, as well as silver in floor exercises. At 27, she not only reclaimed her title but also became the oldest winner of the all-around title in 72 years, reinforcing her legacy as the most decorated gymnast in Olympic history.
Next is Caitlin Clark, an extraordinary basketball player, who has made waves in the United States. She was selected as the number one pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. In her debut season, she broke multiple records, becoming the all-time leading scorer in men’s and women’s college basketball, accumulating an astonishing 3,951 points. Her stellar performances also recorded the highest viewership for this year’s NCAA final, drawing an impressive 18.9 million viewers.
Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland, another remarkable candidate, excelled in Para-athletics. She achieved an exceptional feat by winning five gold medals at the Paris Paralympics and a silver in the 100m event, bringing her Paralympic medal total to eight across two Games. Her strong performances at marathons, including wins in London and Berlin, further solidified her status as a leading athlete.
Sweden’s Armand Duplantis, known as Mondo, is a sensation in athletics, specifically in pole vaulting. Duplantis sustained his dominance in the sport, winning his second consecutive Olympic title, setting both Olympic and world records for the ninth time in his career. His incredible leap of 6.26m at the Diamond League meeting in Silesia further highlighted his unmatched prowess in pole vaulting.
Another top contender is Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands, who made history at the Paris Olympics. A three-time Olympic champion, she became the first woman to win Olympic gold medals in the marathon, 5,000m, and 10,000m events. Her determination and speed were evident as she clinched the marathon gold on the Games’ final day, conquering formidable competitors and setting new Olympic standards.
Finally, we have Leon Marchand from France, who solidified his status as a global swimming superstar with four gold medals at the Paris Olympics. Notably, he set Olympic records in the 200m butterfly and the 200m breaststroke. The comparison of his talent to the legendary Michael Phelps speaks volumes about his impact on the sport.
The voting for the World Sport Star of the Year award is not just a celebration of individual success, but also a broader recognition of the inspiring feats these athletes have achieved. As fans engage in the voting process, the anticipation continues to build for the announcement of the winner on December 17, 2024, making it an exciting time for both the athletes and their supporters.
