Keely Hodgkinson has been named The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year for 2024.
Hodgkinson completed her ascent to athletics superstardom by winning 800m gold for Great Britain at last summer’s Olympics in Paris.
In a stellar 2024, the 22-year-old also retained her European 800m title and became the sixth-fastest woman of all time with a British-record-extending time of 54.61 seconds.
Dame Sarah Storey won the Citi Disability Sportswoman of the Year after she underscored her status as Britain’s most successful Paralympian.
The 47-year-old clinched record-extending 18th and 19th golds in Paris to take her overall Paralympic medal tally to a staggering 30 across nine games.
Team GB diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, who claimed 10-metre synchronised bronze alongside Lois Toulson in Paris, was named Young Sportswoman of the Year.
Dame Sarah Storey won her first Paralympic medal at the Barcelona games in 1992
Great Britain’s Quadruple Sculls team of Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson and Georgie Brayshaw were voted Team of the Year, while the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration went to ultra-runner Jasmin Paris MBE, who became the first woman to complete the 100-mile Barkley Marathons in Tennessee in March 2024.
Cycling volunteer Val French, who had led over 1,000 rides for women and girls as a British Cycling Breeze Champion, was voted Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year, while broadcaster Eleanor Olyroyd won the Editor’s Choice award.
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix was named Young Sportswoman of the Year
The prestigious awards, now in their 37th iteration, have led the way in recognising and celebrating the outstanding contribution made to sport by women at all levels, from elite to grassroots and community-wide.
“This year’s winners showcase the strength, resilience, and determination that drive women’s sport forward,” Ben Taylor, editor of The Sunday Times, said. “From elite athletes to community leaders, they’ve all made a lasting impact.
“Many of the winners shone on the world stage at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, creating unforgettable moments for fans. We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and excited to see them continue making history.”
The public nominated sportswomen in their hundreds across all categories, which were then narrowed down to a shortlist by an expert judging panel, which included some of the most prominent names in women’s sport governance and broadcasting.”
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix was named Young Sportswoman of the Year
Once the shortlist had been decided, the public voted for the winners in three categories: Grassroots, Changemaker, and Team of the Year.
The elite categories (Sportswoman of the Year, Citi Disability Sportswoman of the Year and Young Sportswoman of the Year) were decided by a group of judges, including Olympic heptathlon champions Dame Denise Lewis and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Paralympic wheelchair racer Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and England’s Rugby World Cup winning captain Maggie Alphonsi.
In addition, for the first time this year, the judging panel featured male judges who have been ardent supporters and champions of women’s sports, such as England cricketer Stuart Broad and promoter Eddie Hearn.
Hodgkinson was awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours
Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards winners
Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year
Keely Hodgkinson
Young Sportswoman of the Year
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix
Citi Disability Sportswoman of the Year
Dame Sarah Storey
Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration
Jasmin Paris MBE
Sure Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year
Val French
Editor’s Choice Award
Broadcaster Eleanor Olyroyd
Switzerland Tourism Team of the Year
Great Britain’s Quadruple Sculls – Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson, Georgie Brayshaw