My Sportsman of the Year: Brave Bekele goes the distance

Simon Lewis’s selection: Ethiopian runner Kenenisa Bekele.

SPORTING greatness comes in many forms. From one sportsperson’s ability to alter the course of a big match or event with one, crucial moment of individual skill or tactical awareness to another dominating her discipline with a consistency and level of preparation that far outweighs the combined talents of her rivals.

And then there’s the athlete who travels the furthest distance to conquer an affliction or overcome a huge setback, and move on to achieve his sporting goals. Kenenisa Bekele falls into the latter category and for that he gets my vote as sportsperson of the year.