Five women on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist

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As I mentioned in today’s round-up, five women have been named in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist – a rather big sea-change from last year’s grand total of zero.

Congratulations to boxer Nicola Adams, rower Katherine Grainger, heptathlete Jessica Ennis, cyclist Sarah Storey and swimmer Ellie Simmonds.

The BBC’s director of sport, Barbara Slater, added that other women were close to making the final 12 – including cyclists Victoria Pendleton and Laura Trott, equestrians Charlotte Dujardin and Sophie Christiansen, and taekwondo player Jade Jones.

I suspect at least some of those will be in with a chance of winning a share of the ‘Team of the Year’ award though – if it’s not Team GB as a whole, I’d guess it may be British Cycling taking the prize after their spectacular success this summer.

Congratulations to all the nominees!