The competition for SPOTY is always tight in an Olympic year, and Hodgkinson is joined by two other gold medalists on the shortlist: para-cyclist Sarah Storey, who took home two golds this year, and triathlete Alex Yee, who came from behind to clinch gold in his tense final. Other names on the shortlist include footballer Jude Bellingham, darts player Luke Littler and cricketer Joe Root.

The ceremony – which takes place tomorrow (17 December) – is always a star-studded affair, with cycling’s Sir Mark Cavendish receiving this year’s lifetime achievement award. But Hodgkinson isn’t excited to meet any big name in particular. Instead, she’s looking forward to learning more about the journeys her fellow athletes have been on over the last year.

“In an Olympic year there are always loads of athletes who deserve to be chosen, so it feels really great to be nominated alongside all the other amazing athletes,” she says. “When you watch SPOTY it’s always really nice to hear the other nominees’ stories and see parents talk about their children and what they did for them growing up, so I’m looking forward to hearing those stories.”

“I gave it everything”: Keely Hodgkinson on *that* Olympic final, her SPOTY nomination and looking forward

“I gave it everything”: Keely Hodgkinson on that Olympic final, her SPOTY nomination and looking forward