John Helm column

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), Dec 16, 2004

Kelly's win well deserved

THERE could have been no more worthy winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award than Kelly Holmes, and I'm delighted for her.

She's worked damned hard over many a long running track, overcome career threatening injuries and numerous heartaches to enjoy her moment in the spotlight. Good luck to her. I'm sure she'll be a magnificent role model and inspiration to many aspiring young athletes.

There is one aspect of the award that makes me uncomfortable, however.

Would she have won if the BBC hadn't had the broadcast rights to the Olympics?

They had all the dramatic footage of her courageous efforts in the 800m and 1500m in Athens to justify her nomination, just as they had the rowing team's surge to the line, hence Matthew Pinsent and Co winning Team of the Year.

Perhaps I'm getting cynical in my old age but there was no way a BBC poll was going to vote for our triumphant Ryder Cup boys, who annihilated the Yanks (on Sky) or Andrew Flintoff, whose golden cricketing summer was captured on Sky and Channel 4.

Reason. They couldn't have shown a single clip.

Maybe it's time the Awards, if we have to have them, were taken over by an independent organiser, with a panel of experts to back up the nation's votes, and a glittering gala evening embracing all the broadcasters, and all the events that have been screened. That way so-called minority sports like rugby league, motor cycling, snooker etc, could get a look-in.

They all have their superstars who deserve a fairer representation.

You might point out that Steve Redgrave is a former winner, but that's only because of Olympic achievements, not his sport.

The British public is treated to rowing once every four years, and it's amazing how we all got enthralled by yachting, curling, even archery this summer, so long as there's a Brit out there in the running for a gold medal.

The traditional sports may be my forte, but that's not to say I don't recognise the valiant attempts of others of a different persuasion.

Maybe it's time, particularly with London's Olympic bid well under way, to start promoting our other great achievers rather better.