By Kerry Fothergill

There were some incredible British performances at the Olympics Games in Rio where Team GB became the first ever nation to have a better medal haul after they had hosted the games four years previously.

It has been a fantastic year for not only British Olympic sport but British sport in general.

This month, the British public have a tough choice to make. For the first time the audience will choose from 16 rather than ten finalists for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

The overwhelming favourite is, of course, Andy Murray.

Embed from Getty Images

Murray has just achieved what no other British tennis player has. He is the Men’s Singles World Number One. After a fantastic summer, which saw him win his second Wimbledon title and another first; Murray became the first player to become a double Olympic Singles Tennis Champion at Rio.

Alistair Brownlee had been the bookies favourite to win before Murray became World Number One.

Embed from Getty Images

Brownlee had also become the first athlete to become double Olympic Triathlon Champion in Rio. If that achievement was not enough to cement him into the hearts of the British public, watching him carry his brother Jonny to the finish line at the final World Triathlon Series race in Cozumel, Mexico certainly did.

Most likely the award will go to either Murray or Brownlee, but there are other strong contenders.

The fairy tale could continue for Jamie Vardy.

Embed from Getty Images

Vardy has played his way up through the Football Leagues to the top of the Premier League with Leicester City, gaining a place in the England team to boot and now a Ballon d’Or nominee. With Leicester City comfortably into the knockout stages of the Champions League, Vardy is having a fantastic year.

Or perhaps the award could go to Britain’s greatest track and field athlete, Mo Farah.

Embed from Getty Images

Farah became only the second ever athlete, to retain the Olympic titles in both the 5,000m and 10,000m. Farah now has four Olympic gold medals and five World Championships titles.

Or could one of the golden couple win; Jason and Laura Kenny have both become accustomed to winning.

Embed from Getty Images

Laura Kenny became the first British female athlete to win a fourth Olympic gold medal. Whilst Jason has equalled Sir Chris Hoy’s medals haul of six gold and one silver. They both are aiming to be at the next Olympics in Tokyo 2020 and hopefully that will not be their last.

Possibly the surprise achievement in Rio came from gymnast Max Whitlock and a long shot to win this award.

Embed from Getty Images

Whitlock became Britain’s most successful gymnast, becoming the first ever-British athlete to win gold in artistic gymnastics. He then followed that record making achievement by winning his second gold and becoming a double Olympic Champion. Whitlock adds these gold medals to the three bronze medals at London 2012 and the World Championship title on Pommel Horse from Glasgow 2015.