SEVEN of Team GB's Olympic gold medallists have been included on the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2008 award.
Chris Hoy, who took three first places in Beijing, is one of four members of the dominant cycling team to make the ten-strong list, along with double gold medallist Bradley Wiggins, Nicole Cooke and Rebecca Romero.
Swimmer Rebecca Adlington is ano
ther Olympian to make the cut after she tasted glory in the 400m and 800m freestyle, with sailing's Ben Ainslie and athletics star Christine Ohuruogu the other Games heroes in line for the prestigious award.
Unbeaten boxer Joe Calzaghe has the chance to retain the title he won last year after high- profile defeats of Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr in 2008, with newly-crowned Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and US Open finalist Andy Murray completing the shortlist.
Despite Manchester United's domestic and European double last season, and the improved performances of England under Fabio Capello, no footballers have been deemed worthy of consideration by the panel of 28 sports editors who drew up the list.
There are also no Paralympians on the list despite the 102 medals, including 42 golds, picked up in Beijing.
The winner will be decided by a phone vote held during the Sports Personality of the Year show at Liverpool's Echo Arena on 14 December.
Hamilton is the odds on favourite to drive off with this year's award, according to bookmakers Ladbrokes.
Double gold-medal winning swimmer Adlington is second in the betting at 5/2, with Scotland's Hoy at 10/1.
Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "Olympians were beaten to the award by racing drivers in both 1996 and 2000, so it's Hamilton all the way for us.
"The fact that there are so many of them may also split the vote this year and it may be easier for them to win the team award than the individual one."
Ladbrokes have taken more money on Hamilton than any other nominee, with stakes already well into five figures.
LATEST BETTING
2/5 Lewis Hamilton, 5/2 Rebecca Adlington, 10/1 Chris Hoy, 25/1 Andy Murray, 66/1 Joe Calzaghe, 66/1 Ben Ainslie, 100/1 Rebecca Romero, 150/1 Christine Ohuruogu 150/1 Bradley Wiggins, 150/1 Nicole Cook.
