Froome is perhaps the most notable absentee from a list which always draws plenty of comment and criticism. Olympic years are particularly hotly disputed, with gold-medal winning athletes traditionally dominating the list.
That is certainly the case this year following the most successful Games in Team GB history, with a record 67 medals, 27 of them gold. Of the 16 names on this year’s shortlist, 13 of them tasted success at either the Olympics or the Paralympics, with footballers Gareth Bale and Jamie Vardy, and golfer Danny Willett the only exceptions.