BBC Sports Personality of the Year to perform at First Direct Arena
THE team behind the newly built First Direct Arena in Leeds has pulled off a major coup after winning the right to host this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.
The 60th anniversary edition of the annual sporting extravaganza will be held in front of around 12,000 people on Sunday, December 15.
Coun Keith Wakefied, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards will be held at the new First Direct Arena this December. Attracting such a prestigious and high-profile event is a fantastic coup not only for the stunning new arena but also for Leeds as we look to become the best city in the UK.
“It also adds to the strong Olympic legacy here in Leeds as we welcome Britain’s finest sportsmen and women to the city which will hopefully further inspire our young people in particular to be active and fulfil their potential, so we are very much looking forward to it.”
Barbara Slater, the director of BBC Sport, said: “We’re thrilled to announce Leeds as the host city for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2013. The sporting heritage of the city is outstanding and the new arena will be a great venue from which to celebrate the very best of sport in 2013.
“The year includes major events such as the World Athletics Championships, the Ashes, Rugby League World Cup and Women’s Euros as well as a packed calendar across all sporting disciplines, so we’re looking forward to another exciting show.”
Olympic cycling hero Sir Bradley Wiggins was presented with the famous Sports Personality of the Year trophy by the Duchess of Cambridge and David Beckham, watched on television by more than 15m people, last year.
Devised by Sir Paul Fox in 1954, the first-ever Sports Personality of the Year was held at the Savoy Hotel in London where it was won by record-breaking runner Sir Christopher Chataway.
The coveted trophy has since been won by many of the greats of British sport, including Bobby Moore, Princess Anne, Lord Coe, Daley Thompson, Torvill and Dean, Sir Steve Redgrave, David Beckham, Dame Kelly Homes, Andrew Flintoff, Sir Chris Hoy, Jonathan Edwards, Paula Radcliffe and many more.
The show went on the road in 2006, taking in Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield in 2009, Salford and London.
It was announced last week that First Direct had won the naming rights for the arena, which is set to open next month and has attracted a host of star names to perform before the end of the year, including Bruce Springsteen and Elton John.
