Superstar Sporting Alumni Shine in BBC Sports Personality Nominations

Loughborough College is proud to celebrate the achievements of three outstanding alumni who have been recognized in the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 awards.

Olympic gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson and Champions League winning football star Jude Bellingham, are nominated for the main Sports Personality of the Year award, signalling the ongoing success for both world-class athletes. In the Young Sports Personality of the Year category, rising star and three-time Paralympic medallist, swimmer Will Ellard has been marking a fantastic milestone in his promising career.

Champion runner Keely completed her Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) qualification with the College in 2020 before going on to worldwide success, most recently clinching gold in the women’s 800m final at the Paris Olympic Games. Elite Sports Manager at Loughborough College, Tom Boardman worked with Keely during her time at the College and reflected on her nomination, sharing: “Keely has been constantly progressing through her athletics career and she has always had the ability to perform on the world stage. The nomination for BBC Sports Personality is a wonderful reflection on athletics career thus far.”

Football sensation Jude Bellingham has fast become a household name across the world, with his record breaking run at Germany’s Borussia Dortmund and Spain’s Real Madrid clubs. It was whilst gaining global recognition in the German Bundesliga league that Jude studied with the College, earning his BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Sport in 2021, supported by tutor Jason Ramsay.

In the Young Sports Personality of the Year title race, swimming champion Will Ellard has already demonstrated exceptional talent on the world stage. By bringing home two golds and a silver at this year’s Paralympic games in the 200m freestyle S14, mixed 4x100m freestyle relay S14, and the 100m butterfly S14 respectively, Will is a strong contender for the title.

Speaking to the BBC following his nomination, Will expressed his excitement, sharing: “To be shortlisted for this award means a lot to me. Some of the greats have won in the past, so to be nominated this year is a special feeling.”

Winners for the BBC Young Sports and Sports Personality of the Year awards will be announced on Tuesday 17^th December. The winners will join a prestigious list of sporting stars, including Loughborough College alumna Ellie Simmonds, who took the Young Sports Personality of the Year title in 2008.