Emma Raducanu favourite for BBC Sports Personality award in epic sporting year

Emma Raducanu – Ranked 361 in the world in June, she passed her A-levels in August and became a major tennis champion the following month.

Tom Daley – Ended his long wait for an Olympic diving gold medal with an emotional victory alongside Matty Lee in the synchronised 10m platform event in Tokyo.

Jason Kenny – Equalled Sir Bradley Wiggins’ tally of eight medals when he won silver in the Olympic team sprint. Kenny, 33, has one more gold and silver than his fellow cyclist.

Adam Peaty – Swimmer retained his Olympic men’s 100m breaststroke title as he picked up two golds and a silver at Tokyo 2020.

Lewis Hamilton – Closing in on a 100th Formula 1 grand prix victory and this season is looking for an all-time record eighth world title.

Sarah Storey – Defended her women’s C4-5 cycling road race title at the Tokyo Paralympics to become Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian of all time.

Mark Cavendish – Made history in the Tour de France as he equalled Belgian great Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 stage wins.

Laura Kenny – Claimed the madison title with cycling partner Katie Archibald to become the first British woman to win gold at three Olympics.

Joe Root – England cricket captain returned to the top of the ICC’s Test batting rankings after scoring consecutive Test centuries in three matches against India at an average of 126.75.

Raheem Sterling – Scored three times as England reached the Euro 2020 final and was named in Uefa’s team of the tournament alongside team-mates Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker.

Max Whitlock – The Team GB gymnast successfully defended his Olympic pommel horse title, performing the first routine in the final and setting a mark his rivals could not match at Tokyo 2020.