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In the third of our series celebrating aspects of London life as told by some of the city’s extraordinary characters, we go back to the cycling track used for the 1948 Olympics at Herne Hill, south London, to meet double medal-winning cyclist Tommy Godwin

In a statement, the BBC said: “We stand by the current voting process but have
committed to take on board what has happened this year and we will review
the shortlisting process for next year’s show.”

Wellington, who described the exclusion of women as “disgraceful”, was one of
several female British world champions who were overlooked. Swimmers Rebecca
Adlington and Keri-Anne Payne, triathlete Helen Jenkins, taekwondo fighter
Sarah Stevenson and rowing duo Katharine Grainger and Anna Watkins were also
snubbed.

Adlington, the double Olympic champion, said on Wednesday: “It’s a shame no
women are in the top 10. There have been great women’s performances this
year.”

In a statement, the BBC said: “We stand by the current voting process but have
committed to take on board what has happened this year and we will review
the shortlisting process for next year’s show.”

Wellington, who described the exclusion of women as “disgraceful”, was one of
several female British world champions who were overlooked. Swimmers Rebecca
Adlington and Keri-Anne Payne, triathlete Helen Jenkins, taekwondo fighter
Sarah Stevenson and rowing duo Katharine Grainger and Anna Watkins were also
snubbed.

Adlington, the double Olympic champion, said on Wednesday: “It’s a shame no
women are in the top 10. There have been great women’s performances this
year.”

Mark Cavendish, who is a nominee for the BBC’s British Sports Personality of
the Year, has collected two of cycling’s biggest prizes this year: the green
jersey for winning the points competition at the Tour de France, and the
rainbow jersey for the winner of the World Road Racing Championships.

But the intense reaction from the public was an eye-opener. “Having so many
people tweet me, both men and women, I can’t believe it,” Adlington said.

Both Adlington and her coach, Bill Furniss, said selection of the performances
by former winners would produce a list more in touch with sporting
achievements rather than a popularity contest.

“When you look at any newspaper editor their job is to sell papers and I am
not saying their knowledge is poor, but to have someone steeped in sport,
they would be more qualified to make those choices and can compare one sport
achievement against another,” Furniss said. Adlington agreed.

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