Originally Posted by anyonefortennis:
“He always mentions other players success more than his own. He's very humble.”
I think he's just someone who isn't that comfortable talking about himself. He definitely admires and supports the other players - he wouldn't be on the outside courts cheering them on through qualifying rounds, or commenting on the women's game, just so he doesn't need to talk about himself in interviews, but it's clear he doesn't like to blow his own trumpet.
Originally Posted by Donna65:
“Nobody seems to be able to answer the question that I and another poster have asked: What exactly does Mo Farrah have to do to win, or even get in the top 3 for SPOTY? He has won double gold over the last four global championships, including two Olympics. No other British athlete has come close to achieving this and yet athletes have won it before. Cram, Radcliffe, Ennis and probably others who escape me at the moment, did not achieve what he has. How can there be three other people more worthy than him every single year?”
There's no point in comparing the achievements of years ago, because there are a great many athletes who didn't make the short-list this year who could have won in years gone by.
He's been unfortunate to have success at a time when British athletes are doing well, and especially when we've finally got ourselves a Wimbledon champion. In some years, the athletics vote was split, and I do think he misjudged his PR in the aftermath of his 2012 success. He did a bit too much, and cheapened his brand a bit. But winning SPOTY isn't everything, and if he enjoys the tv appearances, and the adverts, and is being paid well for them - that's fine. Murray makes so much from prize-money and sponsorship that he can afford to keep himself to himself between competitions.
Alistair was already popular, and to be honest, I think he'd have got a good placing if he'd been nominated in 2012. The story of Mexico clearly helped, especially as some people on my social media time-line were under the impression that he's sacrificed his own chance to win an important title, which isn't true. However, triathlon is very popular now, and people can identify with his achievements more than a track runner.
Skelton got on the podium because of his story, but it is a remarkable story. I won't criticise anyone (except maybe Kim) for voting for him because of it, but let's not kid ourselves he was there simply because of sporting achievement.
Mo will have lost some votes from people who give him the benefit of the doubt regarding his coach, but not enough to spend money on him.
Originally Posted by Inspiration:
“Oh sorry I thought you meant in the room with him like Lennox.”
Anyone else think Murray got a few extra votes from people hoping to see a return of Lennox?
Originally Posted by dodrade:
“Linford Christie won in 1992 despite being born in Jamaica.”
Greg Rusedski won, but it was a different time. I think Mo's way more popular and successful than Greg.