You have said this 3 or 4 times now and I keep asking you, how ? How can it be done like that ?

People aren't going to go out and by the Radio Times to vote like the old days are they ? You cannot do it as a text because that is logistically impossible. Every sportstar in the world in an open text vote. If you can think of a logical way then fair enough but I cannot. 16 people to choose from is fine by me. It isn't as if there is somebody missing who would be a strong contender for top 3 is it ?

I know you are pee'd off about Steve Davis, I have seen you post about him for years in the snooker forum and he is one of your idols. I greatly admire the guy too, but you cannot criticise Phelps because of it. The guy has won 23 Olympic Gold medals, over 4 Games, so he is hardly a fly by night

OK what about no shortlisting at all, the public email their votes, they are all totted up and then the top six go into a final vote.
I would have given Phelps the overseas award.

I wonder who will get the overseas award, presumably Bolt, as he does seem like a favourite of the people who decide these things, when personally I would give it to Connor, he has done unbelievably well this year.

If it is Bolt then hasnt he won that before?

Because this is an achievement for all he has done over his career not just in Rio. Greatest Olympian ever. That deserves more tha an award for what he has done in 2016.

As for an e mail vote, how are you going to make that work ? Sports stars with the same name would be hampered for a start plus who is going to sit and count all these votes ? Do you honestly think the current system has missed out somebody who would have been a real contender ? I cannot think of one. Chris Froome is the obvious name who isn't in the 16 but had he being, he wouldn't be near the top 10.

I do think Froome should have been shortlisted, as to where he would have finished is for me irrelevant, struggling to see why Gareth Bale has been nominated and Jamie Vardy for that matter too

Gareth Bale is the best British player at the most popular and watched sport in the country, that's why. We already have an abundance of cyclists, doesn't hurt to have some variety in there with a footballer too. The only person I would have liked to have seen in the 16 who isn't, is Joe Root, but I am not upset that he isn't.

Looks like you and I are going to have to agree to disagree on this
Can we agree on that

Good news is in a few hours we can stop squabbling on this years list and start squabbling about who should be on next years list...

NO





oh go on then

No betting online now for Overseas. I cannot remember who else was in the frame with Bolt.

Were Djokovic and Serena ?

Hasn't he won it on a few occasions recently?

I am not doubting his true amazing talent, as he obviously has it by the bucketload, but others I feel are more deserving of this award than him this year.

Bale and Vardy should not have been nominated, I agree with you there, Jessica Jones and Froome should have been there ahead of them without question.

You see this the problem I have with the whole concept of shortlisting

There is a problem, I agree with you, it is just how you go about solving it, which is the harder point, not everyone is on Twitter, so you can't just do a list from the most popular names there, similarly a list from e-mail or via the post wouldn't take into account most people's views, so it is hard to know what the best way to do things is, perhaps a mix of everything, with a firm cut off date and time??

Yet your only alternative is e mail voting and I have found the issues with that. There is no way at all that is easier than the current system.

Remember Batdude also wants JADE ( not Jessica ) Jones and Froome on the list as he doesn't think anybody who wasn't in Rio should be on the shortlist. Funny because If Murray hadn't gone to Rio we wouldn't have him on his shortlist which is absolutely crackers. Also odd that he bangs on about the Olympics but wants to give the Overseas award to a non Olympian and begrudges the most decorated Olympian of all time of a lifetime award. Beyond logic.

A Marvel superhero character? That's a first.

(I know who you meant )

Nick Skelton isnt at Olympia today so will be at the ceremony in person. Do we know if Murray is there or not tonight?

Wouldn't Murray's win at Wimbledon been enough reason to be nominated

In our world yes.

Sorry I have been binge watching that show recently, so that name has stuck in my mind!

Not really no, it is his overall record which has made him odds on to win this award, being world number one, winning another gold medal, plus all his other tournament victories helps to push his case forward in such a crowed year of supremely talented success stories.

Can't quibble about Phelps winning Lifetime Achievement award.

I fully expect Murray to win the main award & Bolt the Overseas award but as they've won their respective awards more than once already would love a shock win even thoughI'm a big fan of both of them. Simone Biles would be a great winner for Overseas award

Murray winning Wimbledon sealed him on the list straight away. He could have lost every match post Wimbledon and still be shortlisted. He really has to win tonight. The battle is more for second and third. For me that is actually more interesting considering it is such a forgone conclusion that Murray will win. While i wont be voting for Murray he is the most deserving of the award.