16 December 2016

The 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, one of the highlights of the sporting year, takes place in Birmingham on Sunday evening with Kadeena Cox (coach: Brian Scobie) and Mo Farah (Alberto Salazar) both nominated for the top prize.

Kadeena Cox

Cox made Paralympic history as she became the first Paralympian since 1984 to win gold medals in two different sports, para athletics and para cycling. Her success in the Estadio Olimpico was phenomenal, winning bronze in T38 100m on the second evening of competition. She returned for gold in the T38 400m, winning in world record breaking time, posting 1:00.71. Not content with three medals from the Games, she returned to lead off the silver medal winning T35-38 4x100m relay team.

Combined with her gold in the C4-5 time trial at the Velodrome, which took place the day after her first medal on the athletics track, her achievements in Rio were very special.

Since returning from Rio, Cox has sought to inspire the next generation, making a number of appearances at schools and giving back to youngsters across the country.

After a diagnosis of MS two years ago, it has been a whirlwind two years for Cox who has won world titles in both athletics and cycling – and with the World Para Athletics Championships in 2017 on the horizon, there is chance for the Leeds-born athlete to continue her fine medal winning form in the year ahead.

Mo Farah

As he rounded the bend on the final lap of the 5000m in Rio, the crowd in the stadium and the millions of viewers back home knew they were watching something very special. 100m later, Farah added to the history books as he became a two-time double Olympic champion.

After double success in London four years ago propelled him to global stardom, he returned to the Olympic arena with the aim of capturing two gold medals once again in the 5000m and 10,000m.

Despite drama in the 10,000m which saw him fall to the track at one stage, he got back up and ended up winning the contest after a fine performance.

Similarly, another stumble in the heats of the 5000m sent a fright around many fans, however, not content with one gold from the Games, he added to his long list of honours and secured a second gold in Rio.

How to vote for BBC Sports Personality of the Year – full details via the link on how to register to vote: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/38320666