Lewis Hamilton Crowned Sports Personality of the Year {BBC}

December 22, 2020

Lewis Hamilton named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020; Marcus Rashford receives Panel Special Award after leading successful campaign to extend provision of free school meals for vulnerable children; Liverpool named Team of the Year and Jurgen Klopp wins Coach of the Year award

Lewis Hamilton has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for a second time

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020.

Hamilton, who won the same award in 2014, won the overall vote ahead of Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson in second, while Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle came third.

Premier League champions Liverpool were named Team of the Year, and manager Jurgen Klopp was crowned Coach of the Year.

Earlier in the evening, England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford received a Panel Special Award.

The 23-year-old led a successful campaign to extend the provision of free school meals for vulnerable children during the spring lockdown, and continues to work on projects to tackle child hunger.

Marcus Rashford was honoured with a Panel Special Award

Hamilton claimed his seventh F1 title this year, drawing him level on the all-time championship list with Michael Schumacher. He surpassed the German’s race wins record in October when he won at the Portuguese Grand Prix, his 92nd career success.

The 35-year-old said on receiving his award: “Firstly I want to say congratulations to all the incredible nominees.

“I’m so proud of what they have achieved this year. I want to say thank you to everyone who has called in and voted for me. I really wasn’t expecting this knowing that there were so many great competitors. They’re all winners.

“I really want to send a Merry Christmas to everyone. I know it’s been such an unusual year but all the frontline workers, all the children around the world, please try and stay positive at this difficult time.

Lewis Hamilton joined the awards ceremony via video link

“I’m sending everyone positivity and again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The Young Sports Personality of the Year for 2020 was 16-year-old diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, while the Overseas Sports Personality of the Year prize was given to mixed martial arts star Khabib Nurmagomedov.

He claimed his 29th professional win – without a single defeat – over Justin Gaethje in October.

Captain Sir Tom Moore was chosen as the winner of the Helen Rollason Award for his phenomenal fundraising efforts during the first lockdown in the spring.

Captain Sir Tom Moore was the winner of the Helen Rollason Award

Captain Tom, who celebrated his 100th birthday this year, raised £38.9m for the NHS while walking laps of his garden. He was knighted in the summer.

His efforts were an inspiration to the country in a dark period, and to no one more than nine-year-old Tobias Weller, who received the very first Captain Tom Young Unsung Hero of the Year award.

Tobias, who suffers from cerebral palsy, completed the length of a marathon during lockdown with the aid of his walker. Tobias also began a new ‘Tobiathon’ challenge to run the same distance using a race runner. He raised over £150,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and the Pace school.

The Unsung Hero award was given posthumously to Sergeant Matiu Ratana, who was shot dead on police duty earlier this year. Ratana, a keen rugby player and coach, served as a sergeant in the Met for almost 30 years. His award was collected by his partner Su Bushby, in recognition of the voluntary work he did at East Grinstead Rugby Club.