Sunday 14 December 2014

BBC Sports Personality of the Year: Rory McIlroy and Lewis Hamilton arrive as the best of British sport gather in Glasgow

BBC Sports Personality of the Year: Rory McIlroy and Lewis Hamilton arrive as the best of British sport gather in Glasgow

  • Rory McIlroy is favourite to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year
  • His main rival for the award is Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton
  • The awards ceremony is being held at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow
  • Sir Chris Hoy will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement award 
The great and the good of British sport are arriving at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow ahead of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony.
World No 1 golfer Rory McIlroy is the favourite for this year's award after picking up two majors at the Open and the US PGA Championship, as well as helping Europe to victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
The Northern Irishman dashed up to Glasgow from Old Trafford on Sunday after watching Manchester United beat Liverpool 3-0 in the Premier League. 
World No 1 golfer Rory McIlroy arrives in Glasgow after dashing up from Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon
World No 1 golfer Rory McIlroy arrives in Glasgow after dashing up from Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon
Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton arrives on the red carpet along with his dog Roscoe
Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton arrives on the red carpet along with his dog Roscoe
Hamilton walks down the red carpet in Glasgow on Sunday as his pet dog Roscoe slowly follows
Hamilton walks down the red carpet in Glasgow on Sunday as his pet dog Roscoe slowly follows
Boxer Carl Froch (right), on the SPOTY shortlist, arrives in Glasgow with fiancee Rachael Cordingley
Boxer Carl Froch (right), on the SPOTY shortlist, arrives in Glasgow with fiancee Rachael Cordingley
Sir Chris Hoy poses on the red carpet as he arrives to be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award
Sir Chris Hoy poses on the red carpet as he arrives to be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award
Sochi 2014 gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold poses for the cameras
Paula Radcliffe arrives
Sochi 2014 gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold (left) poses for the cameras, and Paula Radcliffe arrives (right)
Retired swimmer Rebecca Adlington arrives
Former gymnast Beth Tweddle is all smiles
Retired swimmer Rebecca Adlington arrives (left), as does former gymnast Beth Tweddle (right)
Europe's 2014 Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley (right) arrives at the ceremony with his daughter
Europe's 2014 Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley (right) arrives at the ceremony with his daughter
Former Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy (back) joins Scottish singer Susan Boyle on the red carpet
Former Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy (back) joins Scottish singer Susan Boyle on the red carpet

2014 BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS 

Gareth Bale (Football)
Charlotte Dujardin (Dressage)
Carl Froch (Boxing)
Kelly Gallagher & Charlotte Evans (Alpine skiing)
Lewis Hamilton (Formula One)
Rory McIlroy (Golf)
Jo Pavey (Athletics)
Adam Peaty (Swimming)
Max Whitlock (Gymnastics)
Lizzy Yarnold (Skeleton)
McIlroy told the BBC: 'It's been a great year. It's been the best year to date in my career.
'It's great to be here. To be nominated is an accumulation of everything you've achieved. It's great to be in such company.'
McIlroy's main rival for the award is Lewis Hamilton, who last month won his second Formula One world title after a thrilling battle with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.
Hamilton, who arrived on the red carpet with dog Roscoe, said: 'It's great to be here. I've taken my dog with me on holiday.
'I haven't stopped since Abu Dhabi, it's been amazing. It's been so much better than the first world title. It's just been a whirlwind. I'm not bothered to have not had many days off.
'I don't think it has really sunk in yet. I just think 'wow we won the world championship.' I just have to pinch myself.
'Normally I'm away at this point of the year but I've had the most incredible support and this is one of the fans' most enjoyable events. I was asked to come, I grew up watching this show and wanted to come back.' 
Former rugby union player and England international Jonny Wilkinson (right) is all smiles with his wife
Former rugby union player and England international Jonny Wilkinson (right) is all smiles with his wife
The England women's rugby team, winners of this year's World Cup, pose for a group shot on Sunday
The England women's rugby team, winners of this year's World Cup, pose for a group shot on Sunday
Retired track cyclist Victoria Pendleton
English diver Tom Daley
Retired track cyclist Victoria Pendleton (left), and English diver Tom Daley (right) in Glasgow
British Paralympian Ellie Simmonds smiles for the cameras as she arrives at the SSE Hydro
British Paralympian Ellie Simmonds smiles for the cameras as she arrives at the SSE Hydro
English gymnast Claudia Fragapane is in Glasgow
British Fed Cup captain Judy Murray arrives
English gymnast Claudia Fragapane (left) is in Glasgow, as is British Fed Cup captain Judy Murray (right)

BBC SPOTY LIST OF AWARDS 

Sports Personality of the Year
Team of the Year
Coach of the Year
Overseas Sports Personality of the Year
Young Sports Personality of the Year 
Helen Rollason Award 
Lifetime Achievement Award - Sir Chris Hoy
Unsung Hero 
Also on the shortlist is Gareth Bale, Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Froch, Kelly Gallagher & Charlotte Evans, Jo Pavey, Adam Peaty, Max Whitlock and Lizzy Yarnold.
One of the first to arrive in Glasgow on Sunday was Sir Chris Hoy, the former track cyclist who will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award at the ceremony. 
Hoy said: 'I would have said my first gold medal at the Athens Olympics couldn't be topped, until London 2012. The last medal was so emotional. When I watch the video of it now, I still get goosebumps.
'Every time I watch a bike race, I want to be out there. I was at the World Cup in London, and I wanted to be out there. But it was great to watch the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.'
Carl Fogarty, the most successful world superbike racer of all time, arrives in the Scottish city
Carl Fogarty, the most successful world superbike racer of all time, arrives in the Scottish city
Scottish athlete Lynsey Sharp
Snowboarder Jenny Jones smiles for the cameras
Scottish athlete Lynsey Sharp (left), and snowboarder Jenny Jones smiles for the cameras (right)
Northern Irish jockey and 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Tony McCoy is suited and booted
Northern Irish jockey and 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Tony McCoy is suited and booted


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-2873663/Rory-McIlroy-arrives-Glasgow-best-British-sport-gather-BBC-Sports-Personality-Year-awards.html#ixzz3LuALs6Hw
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