Toucan

The shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year has been announced and, as expected, Britain's Olympic heroes feature prominently.

The list features swimmer Rebecca Adlington and cycling medalists Nicole Cooke, Chris Hoy, Rebecca Romero and Bradley Wiggins.

Sailor Ben Ainslie and 400m gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu are also included, while Formula one champion Lewis Hamilton, boxer Joe Calzaghe and British tennis number one Andy Murray make up the shorlist.

The shortlist was put together by a panel of 28 sports editors from national and regional newspapers and magazines.

The event takes place on Sunday December 14, when members of the public will be able to vote for their favourite.

The ceremony is being held at Liverpool's Echo Arena for the first time, toi mark the city's year as European Capital of Culture, and is already a sell-out with around 9,000 people attending.

Lewis Hamilton is currently odds-on favourite to win the award, whileboxer Joe Calzaghe is 33/1 to retain the prize he won last year.


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