Right Holmes, but maybe some other wrongs
Watching BBC Sports Review of the Year on Sunday night, I couldn't help to feel slightly disappointed by those making the decisions. Don't get me wrong, I thought Kelly Holmes double Olympic Gold was the outstanding achievement of the year, and she thoroughly deserved her accolade. However, some of the other decisions left me somewhat bemused.

Firstly, Arsenal do something which has been done once in the history of football, and also set a new record for games unbeaten, and yet four blokes in a boat who won by 8cm got team of the year. This is not to disparage the achievements of the Olympic Coxless four, but simply to point out that they merely emulated the achievements of the GB team in Sydney, and countless teams before them. Arsenal did something unique, over a longer period of time, and unlikely to be matched in the next fifty years and didn't win. How does that work?

Secondly, how did Amir Khan not win the Young sporting personality? He's 17 years old, and has had such an impact that he was nominated in the main event. He won a silver medal boxing blokes older and much more experienced than him. Surely he is therefore the outstanding candidate for the younger award?

Thirdly, what was Amir Khan doing in the main draw – unlike cyclist Bradley Wiggens, he only one one silver medal at the Olympics (compared to Wiggens who won one of every colour)? Surely that is a more worthy achievement to make the shortlist.

Fourthly, if the whole of motor sport is hailing Valentino Rossi's achievements this year (moving to a poorer team to show he's the best motorcycle driver, and duly winning) surely he should be nominated ahead of Michael (best car, best driver, no surprise he wins) Schumacher for Overseas Sports Person?

I've always enjoyed spending a night watching Sports Review, ever since I was small, but surely the people voting should actually look past the popularity of various sports and examine the achievement behind them before they award greatness. The myopia of people in Olympic year to rowing never ceases to amaze me. Ask them about it at any other time, and the majority will just look puzzled, but once every four years, it's the source of our greatest team of the year?!? Do me a favour...

- posted by Paul @ 1:54 pm