Can't help but think there's some truth in these musings!

Do I have to be royalty like Zara to win?
By DANIEL KING
When Gail Emms heard the shortlist for the Team of the Year category in tonight's Sports Personality of the Year awards, she admits that it was just about the last straw.
The feisty 29-year-old has grown to accept that playing badminton is not going to bring her fame and fortune. But after she and playing partner Nathan Robertson followed up February's Commonwealth Games victory by becoming the first all-British pair to win a world title, she felt they were due a bit more recognition.
Instead, when the six-strong roll of honour was whittled down to three, they found they had lost out to golf's European Ryder Cup team, the St Helens rugby league team and Sussex County Cricket Club.
"This is the first time I've felt really frustrated," said Emms. "I mean, winning the Ryder Cup was great but they are really individuals who get together once in a while to play together, not a team. Then I was listening to the radio and they were going on about Zara Phillips being world and European champion and I was thinking: 'So am I', but then I'm not royal."

Oops, there goes the OBE.

Emms also has little time for the money and adulation thrown at those who play higher-profile sports. "In the majority sports,we seem to reward mediocrity in this country," she said. "Mediocrity in badminton is not going to get me anything — I'd have to work in bars, wait tables or do another job to keep playing. I wouldn't be strutting around, buying designer clothes, driving an expensive car. To earn a good living, you have to get to the top.W e had an up-and-down year, on and off the court, but when it really mattered, we came through and won the titles. That showed real mental toughness."

Robertson believes that whether he and Emms succeed in turning the Olympic silver medal they won in Athens to gold in Beijing, they will still eventually be able to retire with the kind of memories that money cannot buy and awards cannot replace. "It's nice to be recognised for your success," said Robertson, 29. "But it's more important for me to be appreciated by my friends and family and within the sport. People can earn £100,000 per week, but it's not about money. I'm sure that I'm much more satisfied than probably 95 per cent of footballers because I have achieved things I wanted to achieve, and most of them never will."

So who won? :huh:

Zara Phillips, but I have no problem with that! :clap And no disrespect to Darren Clark after all he's been through in recent months & all he did to help Europe retain the Ryder Cup, but would his late wife have let him appear on national television dressed like the fairy on the bleedin' Christmas tree? What a prat! No dress sense whatsoever... :eek :rolleyes: He was the runner-up and Beth Tweddle came third. :clap

:party WELL DONE ZARA!!

I am very pleased with that result. :D

Shortlist revealed for BBC award

Ten contenders have been named on the shortlist for the 2007 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The shortlist was drawn up by canvassing the top 10 selections of more than 30 sporting experts, including a range of newspaper editors.

Three current world champions and three runners-up are on the shortlist, with a total of seven sports represented:


Joe Calzaghe - Undisputed world super-middleweight boxing champion.

Lewis Hamilton - World championship runner-up in his rookie Formula One season.

Ricky Hatton - Fights Floyd Mayweather for WBC world title on eve of show.

Andy Murray - Broke into the world top 10 despite an injury that ruled him out of Wimbledon.

Christine Ohuruogu - Returned from one-year ban for missing three drugs tests to land world 400m title in Osaka.

Paula Radcliffe - Won the New York Marathon just 10 months after giving birth to a baby daughter.

Jason Robinson - Retired after playing key part in England making the Rugby World Cup final.

Justin Rose - Captured golf's European Order of Merit title.

James Toseland - Claimed the World Superbikes Championship for the second time.

Jonny Wilkinson - Shrugged off injury to help England to Rugby World Cup final.

* I can't say I'm grabbed by any of these ten. :eek Either I have little interest in their sport or consider the sports I do enjoy to have contenders, who this year haven't done enough for me. If really pushed, I'd have to go for one of the ones who is at least a World Champion in their field. :thought Thank Gawd there ain't a footballer on the list, although David Healy and James McFadden came close. Doubt I'll bother watching. ;)

And the latest odds are...

It’s that time again - your guide to BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Lewis Hamilton 1-3 fav

Hamilton has gone from a virtual unknown to one of the most recognisable sportsmen in the world after defying all expectations in his debut Formula One season.

Ricky Hatton 3-1

The chances of “The Hitman” being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year will surely rest on the outcome of his WBC welterweight title bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas.

Joe Calzaghe 6-1

The Welshman capped a decade at the top of boxing when he became the undisputed champion of the super-middleweight division with the defeat of Mikkel Kessler last month.

Paula Radcliffe 20-1

On her return from maternity leave, Radcliffe defeated Gete Wami in a sprint finish in the New York marathon.

Justin Rose 50-1

In addition to his four top12 finishes in golf’s majors this year, Rose overcame a stomach bug to take the Volvo Masters and clinch the European Tour Order of Merit title.

Jonny Wilkinson 66-1

Wilkinson helped England to the final of the rugby union World Cup, becoming the highest points-scorer in the competition’s history on the way.

Christine Ohuruogu 66-1

Ohuruogu led a British one-two in the women’s 400 metres at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, in only her fifth race in 13 months.

Andy Murray 100-1

The Scot has risen to No 11 in the world rankings, winning two Open tournaments as well as starring for Great Britain’s Davis Cup team.

Jason Robinson 100-1

Won his 50th international cap in the rugby World Cup semi-final victory against France in his last tournament before retiring.

James Toseland 125-1

Toseland regained his World Superbikes title after setting the pace from the start of the 15-round championship.

Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes

I'm inclined to agree with your sentiments, H, since there are few sports represented in which I have a genuine interest & whose representative has had an outstanding year: the sentimental vote is surely for Paula, but she's only just coming back after giving birth to her daughter. Likewise Minto after a promising start to the year & a decent return after a lengthy "time-out" for injury in the middle, but in spite of all the controversy surrounding her comeback from suspension & ill-founded allegations of drug cheating, I'd kinda like to see Christine walk off with it. That said, it's undoubtedly Ricky Hatton's for the taking, if he beats Mayweather...! :(

On the subject of the latter, I had to chuckle at one of London Lite's quotes of the day on Tuesday, from Ricky's mum, Carol:

"Ricky wasn't thick, but he wasn't far from it. I don't think he's ever read a book."... :rolleyes:

I'm not sure it'll be worth watching even for the highlights because there aren't that many this year that went Team GB's way. Christine O's gold medal in Osaka being an honourable exception... ;) Anything more entertaining on one of the other channels, do you know?

Neither Paula nor Christine have done enough for me this year, not their fault, although Christine had the opportunity after winning her gold medal and didn't come up with the goods. Minto has still a lot to prove and if he fulfils expectations should win it in the future but not this year. I think it's between Hamilton and Hatton; the former to get it if "The Hitman" doesn't do it overnight. I would have preferred Toseland, only because he's from God's own county. ;) But he's no chance.

Perhaps he'll do a Rune and go back to school to get his GCSE's. :fanfic

If you like nature programmes, soaps, RVP, films, plus whatever's on offer on the digi box, you'll be okay. ;)

Hatton lost in 10. Now will he get the sympathy vote like Matt Di Angelo :angry1 did in last night's SCD? You probably have no idea who or what I'm talking about there :rofl but I find SCD strangely addictive. :xmas5

Well that was a surprise: Calzaghe won. Looking back at the original shortlist the first three named on that were the same order last night. :eek Yes, I know they were alphabetical. ;)

1) Calzaghe

2) Hamilton

3) Hatton

I only watched the last 15 mins or so but long enough to see Bobby R get his Lifetime Achievement award :clap even if he did make an Oscar speech. :xmas5

From today's Times, but widely reported. :huh:

Lewis Hamilton 'saddened' by racist abuse

Lewis Hamilton says he expected a backlash from Spanish Formula One fans following his falling-out with former team-mate Fernando Alonso, but he has been shocked by the level of abuse he received on Saturday.

The McLaren driver, 23, was subjected to racist comments and was faced with a group of spectators wearing wigs, dark make-up and t-shirts with the slogan "Hamilton's Family" on the front during pre-season testing near Barcelona. And although the Briton insisted he still loves being in Spain, he admitted he was not prepared for what occured at the Circuit de Catalunya, in Montmelo.

"The truth is that I feel somewhat sad, I am in love with this country, and especially the city of Barcelona and this circuit, which is one of my three favourites," Hamilton said.

"The people in Spain have always been very warm with me, and even though I imagined what might happen it has not been pleasant.

"But maybe these types of things make you learn to appreciate more the warmth of the public, who although you always try to be there for them, you never know how important they are to you until these types of things happen."

Alonso has since joined Renault for the new season after a fractious 2007 partnering Hamilton during his rookie season.

"I would like [the Spanish fans] to understand my position," Hamilton said. "The only thing that I have done is to try to give the best of myself and try to win the championship. At no point have I tried to deliberately prejudice Fernando but the fight has been very tough and my image in Spain has been severely damaged."

McLaren have attempted to play down the problems but the sport's governing body, the FIA, have pledged to take a hard line on any future incidents.

"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have raced and tested on Spanish circuits for many years, and everyone connected with the team regards Spain and the Spanish people with great affection, Lewis included," a McLaren statement said

The FIA, however, have warned that Spain could even be stripped of its grands prix as a result of such incidents, with the country due to host two races this year, at Barcelona and Valencia.

A spokesman said: "FIA are surprised and disappointed at the abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton. An act of this kind is a clear breach of the principles enshrined in the FIA statutes, and any repetition will result in sanctions."

The management at the circuit have also warned spectators about their behaviour. Ramon Pradera, the circuit director, added: "We would like to make a plea to the fans to behave correctly. No type of offensive behaviour can be tolerated."

* I can't understand what gets into people when they have to behave in such a manner. Surely they could have dealt with what they see as a slight on Alonso (their man) in a different way. :smash2 Still it ain't the first time it's happened in Spain, footballers have also been known to receive a less than gracious welcome. :angry:

Not my sport, but worth a mention all the same. :clap Water's for washing in as far as I'm concerned. ;)

Youngster Daley claims Euro gold

Daley hopes to become GB's youngest male medallist at Beijing
Thirteen-year-old Tom Daley is the new European champion after winning the 10m platform title in Eindhoven in Holland.
Daley produced flawless dives in rounds four and five, each earning four marks of 10 from the judges. His final round dive was less impressive but he had done enough to hold off Germany's Sascha Klein and Francesco Dell'Uomo, of Italy.

"It was just an absolutely amazing experience," Daley, from Plymouth, told BBC Sport. "I missed one of my dives and to still be able to get the 10s after that and to still bring myself up to get the gold medal, I really didn't expect it."

Daley, who will become the second-youngest male Olympian in British history after qualifying for Beijing, was only sixth after three rounds.

"Normally I can do that [third] dive a lot better and because I didn't, I did get a bit worried, and knew I had to turn it around. To finish up and be standing on the top of the podium with your national anthem playing is not something that happens every day," he added.

Daley finished with a score of 491.95 points, ahead of Klein on 487.60pts and Dell'Uomo on 481.30.

At Beijing, he will have a chance to become Britain's youngest male medallist. The record is held by fellow diver Brian Phelps, who was 16 years and 134 days when he won bronze in the 10m platform event in Rome.

Cecilia Colledge - born 28 November 1920 - remains the youngest British Olympian. She was 11 years and 73 days old when she competed in the women's single skating competition at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.

Tom Daley is one of the athletes BBC Sport is following as part of the Olympics Dreams series.
You can read regular behind-the-scenes updates on his progress at bbc.co.uk/olympics.

*The young lad in question. :xmas5

Had intended to post that story myself after hearing about it on News 24 shortly after I got back home yesterday, but was sidetracked by the unpacking etc...! :hat to him! Apparently, he's not expecting a medal of any colour in Beijing, but will be using it as a springboard, so to speak ( :innocent ), for London in 2012! :xmas5

* Brian Phelps: there's a blast from the past! :party

And not forgetting these young women. :clap
The British 4 x 100m medley relay quartet of Lizzie Simmonds, Kate Heywood, Gemma Lowe and Fran Halsall set a European record when they retained their title. Their time of 3min 59.33sec improved the record by 2.21sec.

*"springboard, so to speak :innocent " :eek :lol1

Pity he ended up with a stain on his name.

Yay! Team GB picks up its sixth gold medal at the track cycling world champs in Manchester, with another one possibly on the way...! :clap :hat :party :xmas5

:xmas5 I haven't been watching, but I know a man who has. ;) Pity it doesn't get half as much coverage as some sports I could mention, but there you go! Shows you what the right facilities, coaching and dedication from its participants can achieve. :guns

Three more today: :clap Victoria Pendleton in the sprint, :hat Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish in the Madison, :rolleyes: and Chris Hoy in the Keirin. :rolleyes: :party :xmas5 Strange names. ;)