### Trio Shortlisted for Young Sports Personality Award
In an exciting development within the sporting community, three exceptionally talented young athletes have been shortlisted for the coveted BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award. The panel, comprising various esteemed members from the sports industry, selected skateboarder **Sky Brown**, Para-swimmer **William Ellard**, and darts player **Luke Littler** from an impressive longlist. The announcement comes as a recognition of their outstanding achievements over the past year and provides a platform to showcase their dedication to their respective sports.
#### Date of Announcement and Ceremony Details
The shortlisting was revealed on **5 December 2024**, paving the way for the ultimate award which will be announced live during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show on **17 December 2024**. This high-profile event will be accessible for fans across the country, as it will be broadcast live on **BBC One** and available for streaming on **BBC iPlayer**, commencing at **19:00 GMT**. Last year, the award was claimed by snowboarder **Mia Brookes**, who made history as the youngest world champion in snowboarding.
#### Profiles of the Contenders
**Sky Brown**, aged 16, is a prominent figure in the sport of skateboarding. She has risen to fame largely due to her remarkable resilience; despite suffering a shoulder injury shortly before the Paris Olympics, she won a bronze medal in the women’s skateboarding park final. This victory marked her as a two-time Olympic medalist, as she had previously secured a bronze medal during the Tokyo Olympics at the age of 13.
**William Ellard**, an 18-year-old Para-swimmer, has also left an indelible mark this year in the world of sports. His debut at the Paralympics in Paris was nothing short of spectacular, where he won three medals, including two golds. His achievements include a record-setting performance in the S14 200m freestyle event and further glory in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay, demonstrating his prowess in the pool. Additionally, he garnered further recognition at the European Championships held in Funchal, Madeira, capturing double gold amongst a total of four medals.
**Luke Littler**, known as “the Nuke,” is 17 years old and has become a household name in the darts scene. His breakthrough year began with a historic run at the World Darts Championship, making him the youngest player to reach the finals at 16 years and 347 days. Although he faced defeat in the championship match against **Luke Humphries**, Littler swiftly bounced back, racking up an impressive 10 senior PDC titles throughout the year. He currently ranks fourth in the world, having already earned over £1 million in prize money in 2024.
#### Selection Panel Insights
The judging panel responsible for selecting the finalists included renowned athletes and media personalities such as Paralympic gold medallist **Sammi Kinghorn**, Olympic BMX freestyle silver medallist **Keiran Reilly**, BBC presenter **Qasa Alom**, and Radio 1 DJ **Jeremiah Asiamah**. They, along with representatives from entities like the **Youth Sport Trust**, **Blue Peter**, and **BBC Sport**, carefully evaluated the performances of numerous athletes to finalize the shortlist.
The initial longlist comprised 10 outstanding young talents, showcasing a diverse array of sports. Among them were athletes such as **Mia Brookes**, **Cat Ferguson** (cycling), **Phoebe Gill** (athletics), **Abigail Martin** (gymnastics), and others. This recognition serves as not only an acknowledgment of their hard work but also as a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes looking to make a name for themselves in various sports.
#### Conclusion
As anticipation builds for the upcoming awards show, the achievements of Sky Brown, William Ellard, and Luke Littler serve to inspire young athletes everywhere. Their impressive journeys highlight the importance of resilience, talent, and commitment in the pursuit of excellence in sports. Fans and supporters are encouraged to tune in on December 17th for what promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to the 2024 sporting year, celebrating the next generation of athletic talent.
