BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – THE CONTENDERS

LEWIS HAMILTON — Formula One: Hamilton was crowned world champion for a sixth time in 2019 — one behind Michael Schumacher’s once seemingly unbeatable record. His career tally of 84 grand prix victories is now just seven off Schumacher’s all-time record total — which is easily within his grasp if Mercedes continue their domination of the sport in 2020.

KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON — Athletics: Johnson-Thompson completely shattered a reputation for blowing up on the big occasions by setting four personal bests as her points tally of 6,981 broke Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill’s British record when winning the heptathlon at the World Athletics Championships in Doha. The 2017 champion Nafissatou Thiam was 304

points adrift!

DINA ASHER-SMITH — (left) Athletics: Asher-Smith is the first British woman to win a global sprint title as she won the world 200 metres gold at the 2019 World Championships in Doha. She set a new national record time of 21.88secs. She ran another national record of 10.83 in the 100m final taking silver and she also landed silver in the women’s 4x100m relay.

ALUN WYN JONES — Rugby Union: Wyn Jones captained Wales to Grand Slam victory in 2019 and was named

Six Nations Player of the Championship. Became his country’s most capped player (now has 134 caps) during the World Cup in Japan where Wales lost to winners South Africa in the semi-final.

RAHEEM STERLING — Football: Manchester City’s Sterling won the domestic treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup in 2019. He also starred as England qualified for the finals of the 2020 European Championship and earned praise for his public stance against racism.

BEN STOKES — (right) Cricket: Played the key role as England won the Cricket World Cup in the ‘super over’ against New Zealand. Stokes also made an incredible unbeaten 135 — including a last-wicket