Originally Posted by RichN95:
“Currently my 12 person shortlist (it was 12 in 2012) would be
Mo Farah
Andy Murray
Chris Froome
Laura Trott
Jason Kenny
Max Whitlock
Nicola Adams
Jade Jones
Charlotte Dujardin
Alistair Brownlee
Gareth Bale
Lewis Hamilton (if he is F1 champion, otherwise Adam Peaty)
A-listers* and double gold medalists only.
(I realise that there are no Paralympians in my list but only about 1% of the population is eligible to enter. I can't see them at the same level)
* UK global sport A-listers - Murray, Farah, Hamilton, Froome, Bale (McIlroy has dropped out)”
Hmm, not bad... But I'd take out Dujardin - I'd rather give it to Allegro, perhaps they can go in the team award. And certainly not Bale - you could make an argument that he wasn't even the best player for Wales at the Euros and anyone in a team sport really has to be head and shoulders above anyone else to qualify, IMO.
And Adam Peaty definitely has to be in. Only the one gold, true, but two massive world records in two days is amazing, not to mention the relay team being highly unlikely to have won silver without his efforts.
In reality, Sarah Storey is bound to be on the list but I don't think I'd pick her myself. I've never really understood how her particular disability affects her cycling; if there has to be a 'triumph over adversity' slot, I'd go with Nick Skelton any day.