To celebrate their 50th Anniversary the BBC are doing a special sports personality of the decade award. Who do you think should be BBC sports personality of the decade 1994-2003?

The contenders are made up from past winners.

Paula Radcliffe

Just for sheer determination

World record Marathon runner

Sorry it has to be Steve Redgrave what a true olympian

Seems odd that Greg Rusedski won one year but Tim Henman hasn't.

I find the whole concept of a "sports personality" a bit odd really - if somebody is at the top of their sport, why is it relevant how they come across as a "personality"? Can't they be judged on their sporting merit alone?

Originally posted by Mike
I find the whole concept of a "sports personality" a bit odd really - if somebody is at the top of their sport, why is it relevant how they come across as a "personality"? Can't they be judged on their sporting merit alone?

Wow - I agree with you Mike! I have never been interested in this meaningless excuse for an award ceremony.

I actually listed the poll in the order I personally think they deserved to win.

The only two worthy are Paula Radcliffe and Steve Redgrave and being a runner myself I decided to go for Paula, not at all being biased. :thumbsup:

Originally posted by t020
Seems odd that Greg Rusedski won one year but Tim Henman hasn't.

Not when you consider his actual victory record... Henman's rubbish (although to be fair so is rusedski)

Although Steve redgrave did very well this olympics, what else has he done to deserve a 'decade' award??? Most of the people up there haven't even been around for that long. Especially Michael "I'm only 3 you know" Owen... He would have been about 10 in 1993...

Originally posted by Agent Dan
Although Steve redgrave did very well this olympics, what else has he done to deserve a 'decade' award
Hasn't he won gold in the last 4, or maybe 5, Olympics? That would qualify him for a decade and a bit award, surely?

I don't know, to be honest. He might have done. I only heard of him this time round...

Just did a quick google and yes, Steve Redgrave did in fact win a gold medal in each of 5 Olympics starting in 1988. That more than qualifies for a decade.

Steve Redgrave official web site (http://www.steveredgrave.co.uk/)

What are the judging rules of this? Is it down to the number of competitions and medals won? Is it to do with the amount of money earned? The most TV quiz shows appeared on? The most questions they've got right on A Question of Sport? Sex appeal? Street Cred of the sport they are champions of?

How do I judge this?

Everyone on the list has their own merits and are all brilliant.

Could it be down to bribes and corruption and who slept with who? How does this officially get decided?

Originally posted by Agent Dan

Although Steve redgrave did very well this olympics, what else has he done to deserve a 'decade' award???

Not only has he won 5 olympic medals, he was also diagnosed with diabetes and nearly gave up. He battled against the odds to get over that and cope with the training difficulities and through this has shown that anyone can do it if they want to. He didn't make a fuss, he got on with it and now supports charities to encourage people with diabetes promoting the awareness of it.

Also don't forget, he wasn't exactly young in sportsmans terms when he got the last gold medal, he had to train extra hard to achieve that, age, diabetes etc, he did good.

He single handed brought a sport to the public attention and considering GB aren't exactly renouned for lots of sporting events, rowing is something that we can be proud of! Best in the world.

I would be gutted if he didn't win, he is an inspiration.

Originally posted by Classic Rock
What are the judging rules of this? Is it down to the number of competitions and medals won? Is it to do with the amount of money earned? The most TV quiz shows appeared on? The most questions they've got right on A Question of Sport? Sex appeal? Street Cred of the sport they are champions of?

How do I judge this?

Everyone on the list has their own merits and are all brilliant.

Could it be down to bribes and corruption and who slept with who? How does this officially get decided?

It's who you personally think should win.

Originally posted by fnkysknky
It's who you personally think should win.

But how do you personally judge them and make that decision? Based on which premise(s)?

Whatever you want - it's your choice :D

I picked Redgrave because of his domination of his sport over the years but that's not to say I'm 'right'.

Originally posted by Foxxx
Not only has he won 5 olympic medals, he was also diagnosed with diabetes and nearly gave up. He battled against the odds to get over that and cope with the training difficulities and through this has shown that anyone can do it if they want to. He didn't make a fuss, he got on with it and now supports charities to encourage people with diabetes promoting the awareness of it.

Also don't forget, he wasn't exactly young in sportsmans terms when he got the last gold medal, he had to train extra hard to achieve that, age, diabetes etc, he did good.

He single handed brought a sport to the public attention and considering GB aren't exactly renouned for lots of sporting events, rowing is something that we can be proud of! Best in the world.

I would be gutted if he didn't win, he is an inspiration.

Yep, I agree. I remember seeing the documentry about him on his run up to his last Olympic success. It was entertaining viewing.

But isn't that more of a lifetime achievement award he should receive rather than an award for the last year? Shouldn't this just focus on achievements within the last 12 months?

No because it's Sports Personality of the Decade :)

I think your getting confused Classic. This is a seperate award for Sports person of the decade 1994-2003 to which any of the winners who have previously won the annual award during those years can win. The annual sports personality award will still be go ahead as normal.

According to this

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_2003/3224910.stm

there's going to be a public vote for the 'golden' personality to celebrate 50 years of this award.

Didn't Mohammed Ali win the 'personality of the century' or some such?

Nomme

Yes, Ali won sports person of the century.

Greg Rusedski???? Is that a joke? How did he get in it?

Rusedski won it in 1997.

It's also worth mentioning that out of the list of former winners Damon Hill as won the award twice in 1994 and 1996.

Originally posted by Agent Dan
Not when you consider his actual victory record... Henman's rubbish (although to be fair so is rusedski)



4 Wimbledon Semi Finals in a period of 5 years is rubbish? Compared to Rusedskis 1 Semi Final? Nope..... I still can't see how Rusedski could have won it yet Henman not.

Originally posted by t020
4 Wimbledon Semi Finals in a period of 5 years is rubbish? Compared to Rusedskis 1 Semi Final? Nope..... I still can't see how Rusedski could have won it yet Henman not.

Well, perhaps Rusedski's year was a weak year for sporting achievements. Around the time Rusedski won it he was finalist in the US open and ranked as high as 4th in the world which could explain it.

Oh Jonathan Edwards get his 1st vote from me, how did Greg Rubishedski get in, :gag: