Ead-to-head for the most treasured trophy in British sport PERSONAL
Bagging three gold medals at Rio 2016 SOPHIE Christiansen reckons she is this year’s underdog because TV bosses don’t give equestrian events enough airtime.
She said: “It is a bit of a minority sport, so it was a shock to be nominated.
“When they told me I just couldn’t believe it. I kept asking them to repeat it. “We’ve been unbeaten for 20 years, since the sport entered the Paralympics.
“I’m not sure many other sports can boast that. It’s time we were up there.” It’s been a tough year for Sophie, who said: “Politically this year has not been the best for me. My team wasn’t always that cohesive. And my main horse was injured. “I felt like I was treading water to keep afloat. So to finish the achievement in Rio was amazing. “I’m the underdog because I’m up against big names like Andy Murray and Mo Farah.” Taking home two gold medals from the Rio Olympics BRITAIN’S most successful female Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey is hoping her SPOTY nomination brings greater awareness of disabled athletes. Sarah was added to the shortlist after her three golds in Rio this summer took her tally to 14 in both swimming and cycling. But despite huge improvements in coverage for the Paralympic Games, Sarah, 39, believes more can be done. The mum of one said: “I still don’t think we get enough media coverage for World Championships and other events.” Sarah said combining the Olympics and Paralympics would be impossible and unnecessary. But she would like more world championship sports to join forces. She said: “Integration between the sports is more likely to be possible at a world championship. “Rowing and Triathlon already do this and are a great example of what other sports could aspire to.” Sarah is approaching her 40th birthday but has no retirement plans. She said: “I want to continue to push my limits.” BRITAIN’S best-ever gymnast Max will be sharing the award if he tops the vote tonight.
He said: “I owe everything to my fiancée, my coach and my family. I wouldn’t be here without them. They pushed me through the hard times I’ve had. My medals are as much theirs and they are mine. “This year has all been very surreal. And being nominated tops the year off really nicely. To be recognised for my sport is a nice Becoming the most successful gymnast in Great Britain’s history feeling. I’m very proud and I’m really looking forward to the night.” Max is another who reckons voters will get behind Andy Murray. He added: “On a public vote it’s always going to be hard for me to win. Gymnastics isn’t the biggest sport by any means. And the others have all done amazingly well this year. “I think Andy will win. He got it last year and this year he’s done even better. To stay at that level is pretty impressive.” Won gold in the 100m breaststroke in Rio – the first male British swimmer to do so in 24 years Her gold medal in Rio as part of the British women’s field hockey team Taking an incredible gold at his seventh Olympic Games this summer Securing victory at the Masters Tournament in Augusta – making him only the fourth Brit to win it in history Leicester City taking last season’s Premier League against all the odds “I know the Olympics are big – but it shouldn’t feel like a struggle. It’s a privilege.” “When we saw the size of the crowd at Heathrow, it was an OMG situation. It was what you would expect to see if the England football team were returning with the World Cup.” “To be in the sport all this time and win this just caps it. You always dream about this but when it actually happens it is real life.” “Family and friends have helped me along the way, kept me grounded, kept me normal and kept a reality check on everything…that stuff helps.” “When training and matches are finished, we’ll all go out and have food together – we’re always in touch with each other. That just shows how much of a unit we all are as a team and it shows in our performances.”