Yesterday the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year was announced. Six stars are on it: cricketer Stuart Broad, footballer Mary Earps, golfer Rory McIlroy, athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, jockey Frankie Dettori and wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett.

The final choice will be hard to make after a year of great performances.

In February, Australia's cricketers won the Women's T20 World Cup.

In March the Formula 1 season started, with Max VerstappenA Belgian-Dutch driver. His father also raced in Formula 1. scoring the first of 19 victories.

In May, Manchester City won the Premiership. Next came victories in the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.

At Wimbledon, 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz won the men's singles final. Alfie Hewitt won his wheelchair doubles with Gordon Reid.

Stuart Broad ended his international career by taking Australia's final wicket in the Ashes. It secured a draw in the series for England.

England's Lionesses reached the final of the Women's World Cup. Goalkeeper Mary Earps let in just four goals in seven matches.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson won the women's heptathlonAn athletic event in which each competitor takes part in the same prescribed seven events. at the World Athletics Championships.

In the Rugby World Cup, South Africa beat New Zealand by a single point in the final.

Franki Dettori brought his amazing career in Britain to an end. He had wins in the 2000 Guineas, the Oaks, the Gold Cup, the Coronation Cup and the Champion Stakes.

In the Ryder CupA trophy competed for every other year by a team representing the US and one representing Europe., Europe's golfers easily beat the US. Rory McIlroy, who had already won the Scottish Open, topped the points list.

At the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Simone Biles won five gold medals.

In November, Australia won the Cricket World Cup, beating India by six wickets in the final.

But perhaps 2023 will be most remembered as the year when women's sport was finally given the respect it deserved - particularly football.

Yes: ExcellingDoing really well at something. at sport does not do anything to help the world. We should reserve our admiration for people whose work underpins our society, such as doctors, nurses and teachers.   

No: They provide both entertainment and deep inspiration. They show us what humans can do when innatePresent naturally. skill is combined with rigorous training and strength of purpose, often in the face of adversityHard times or difficulties. .   

Or... It is mad to get excited about something like sport which we have no control over. If the person or team we support loses it makes us miserable, and if they win we can claim no credit.

Max Verstappen - A Belgian-Dutch driver. His father also raced in Formula 1.

Heptathlon - An athletic event in which each competitor takes part in the same prescribed seven events.

Ryder Cup - A trophy competed for every other year by a team representing the US and one representing Europe.

Excelling - Doing really well at something.

Innate - Present naturally.

Adversity - Hard times or difficulties.