WORLD champion middle-distance runner Josh Kerr has said he is “definitely disappointed” to not make the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist.
The Scot won 1500m gold at the World Championships in Budapest this year but has not been included in the list of six sportspeople nominated for the prestigious award.
Kerr - who stunned the overwhelming favourite Jakob Ingebrigtsen - ensured Scots secured back-to-back world titles in the event after Jake Wightman won gold in the 1500m in 2022.
His omission has been criticised by Seb Coe, the president of World Athletics, as well as several sports journalists.
Kerr said: “It's such an amazing award.
READ MORE: Tories laugh in Holyrood over closure of Scottish Foreign Office base
"But there's nothing really I can do about it. I'm definitely disappointed.
“I've always been told that when it comes to selection then leave them with no doubt and I obviously left them with some doubt so that's on me.
"We have such an amazing year of sport coming up next year that I'm just looking to prove myself again and hopefully I can be in contention to be in that top six next year."
Kerr – who took bronze at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 - will attend the ceremony to support athletics.
The list includes England cricketer Stuart Broad, golfer Rory McIlroy, jockey Frankie Dettori, Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps, tennis player Alfie Hewitt and heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
Asked if he thought there was an issue with Scottish athletes getting the recognition they deserved, Kerr told the BBC: "We just have to keep banging on the door and the recognition will come.
"I have my World Championship gold medal and that's all I really care about this year.
“I've had some great awards from Scottish Athletics and for Scottish sportsperson, so I'm really honoured."
"I'm still going. I'm going there to support 'KJT' and support the sport of athletics and that's my job. I'm not sitting around crying about it but I'm obviously disappointed because it's such an awesome award."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel