24 November 2009

2009 IAAF World Youth double gold medallist Jodie Williams (Herts Phoenix) was today announced as a top three contender for the prestigious BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

16 year old Williams, who has been unbeaten in the 100m and 200m since she began competing in 2005, marked herself out as one to watch on the female sprinting scene when she became the first girl in history to win gold in both the 100 metres and 200 metres at this year’s IAAF World Youth Championships.

The three contenders were announced today (in alphabetical order) as:Tom Daley,Heather Watson andJodie Williams. The trio of stars have been whittled down from an original shortlist of ten, which Chairman of the judging panel, John Inverdale described as ‘the most competitive top 10 ever’.

The winner will be announced at BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2009 (BBC ONE, Sunday 13 December, 7 – 9pm). The live event will be held at the Sheffield Arena for the first time and is a sell-out with around 11,000 people attending, making it the biggest Sports Personality ever.

Previous winners of the YSPOTY award include Andy Murray, Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott.              

For voting criteria on all the Awards, further information and updates please visit www.bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality