Helen Jenkins Says Snub By BBC Is Major Incentive For 2012

ITU world champion Helen Jenkins has challenged Great Britain’s elite female stars to ensure they can’t be overlooked for the BBC Sports Personality award next year.

The 10-strong shortlist for 2011, which includes Welsh world hurdling champion Dai Greene year’s award controversially, included no women.

This even prompted deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman to write to the BBC urging them to change their list.

Such calls have been resisted with the winner announced on Thursday evening, with world champion cyclist Mark Cavendish the bookmakers’s favourite.

RELATED: Chrissie Wellington Speaks Out About Decision Not To Attend BBC’s SPOTY Awards

But a review will be held next year over the nomination process which sees newspapers and magazines compile the shortlist.

This year’s offerings ignored the claims of women world champions like Jenkins and Chrissie Wellington, swimmers Rebecca Adlington and Keri-Anne Payne and taekwondo star Sarah Stevenson.

Jenkins, who finished second behind motorcyclist Chaz Davies in the BBC Wales award, insisted she had never expected to be on the list.

“It is disappointing there are no women on the list but next year hopefully we can change that in 2012,” said Jenkins.

“It is difficult because it is a subjective thing. The people who have been nominated are more in the public eye. I did not expect to be nominated for the list. I compete in what is regarded as a minority sport which is not really in the public eye.

“Triathlon has grown so much over the last few years and the Olympics has really helped that. But compared to something like football and cricket, we are always going to be a minority sport.”

Read more: Walesonline.co.uk