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Dame Kelly returns to BBC Sports Personality of the Year
14th December 2009
Dame Kelly Holmes was at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony last night in Sheffield. Dame Kelly who was presenting the Team of the Year Award was reliving the feeling of being on stage in 2004 when she won the main BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
She said,
“It’s an amazing feeling to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. To know that the public are voting for you to win is such an honour.”
Manchester United stalwart, Ryan Giggs was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year in yesterday’s award ceremony. Formula 1 champion Jensen Button was second, with world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis securing third spot.
“This is a shock as you can tell by the speech I’ve prepared,” joked Giggs when collecting his award.
“I grew up watching this programme. To see the people that have won it and to be here is unbelievable.”
Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award in what was one of the most moving moments at the Sheffield Arena. Watching on a video screen from home, the 52-year-old received a standing ovation before accepting the award from a tearful compatriot and golfer José María Olazábal.
15 year-old diver Tom Daley, who was already on the shortlist for the main Sports Personality award, began the night in good style by receiving the Young Sports Personality trophy for the second time.
Eddie Izzard then took to the stage in honour of his 43 marathons in 51 days in aid of Sports Relief. After being handed the BBC Sports Personality special award the 47-year-old said:
“Everything was painful. People asked me if I enjoyed the running, but I enjoyed the stopping! I staggered, I ran and I crawled.”
The Sports Personality team award, presented by Dame Kelly Holmes and Joe Calzaghe, went to the England men’s cricket team following their Ashes victory against the Australians this summer. Strauss, in South Africa with the team, said:
“What I am most proud about is that we have stuck together in some pretty tough times. That is what got us over the line in the Ashes and this award can act as a spur to achieve more in the future.”
Fabio Capello was named Coach of the Year on the back of the Italian guiding England to the 2010 World Cup in style, while Olympic and world sprint champion Usain Bolt claimed the overseas trophy after his extraordinary performances on the track.