At long last yesterday the waiting was over: the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year was announced.

Six stars who made headlines in 2023 are in contention: cricketer Stuart Broad, footballer Mary Earps, golfer Rory McIlroy, athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, jockey Frankie Dettori and wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett.

The winner will be announced next Tuesday. Whatever the final choice, it is bound to be controversialCausing a lot of angry public discussion and disagreement. after a year studded with remarkable performances.

In February, Australia's cricketers won the Women's T20 World Cup for the third time running. England hit 213 against Pakistan to break the tournament's scoring record.

March saw the start of the Formula 1 season, with Max VerstappenA Belgian-Dutch driver. His father also raced in Formula 1. scoring the first of a record 19 victories. His final points total was more than twice that of second-placed Sergio Perez.

In May, Manchester City won the Premiership before completing an amazing treble with victories in the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.

The Wimbledon tennis championships came to a dramatic climax in July, with 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz beating the veteran Novak Djokovic A Serbian professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 1 in singles. in the men's singles final. Alfie Hewitt won his wheelchair doubles with Gordon Reid and finished 2023 as world number one.

Stuart Broad brought his international career to a thrilling end in the fifth match of the Ashes. Not only did he hit a six off the last ball he faced, but he then took Australia's final wicket to secure a draw in the series for England.

In August, England's Lionesses reached the final of the Women's World Cup, only to lose 1-0 to Spain. Goalkeeper Mary Earps won the Golden Glove award, concedingSurrendering or yielding. just four goals in seven matches.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson overcame injury to win the women's heptathlonAn athletic event in which each competitor takes part in the same prescribed seven events. at the World Athletics Championships after an epic battle with the US's Anna Hall. Her performance included a long jump of 6.54 metres.

The Rugby World Cup was played across France in September and October. It saw the reigning champions South Africa recover from defeat by Ireland to beat New Zealand by a single point in the final.

Italian jockey Franki Dettori brought his extraordinary career in Britain to an end. He had wins in the 2000 Guineas, the Oaks, the Gold Cup, the Coronation Cup and - coming from the back of the field in his final race - 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 scored a resoundingUnmistakable; emphatic. victory over 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. She now has 37 World and Olympic medals - more than any gymnast in history.

In November, Australia won the Cricket World Cup for a record sixth time, beating the hosts 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, with the World Cup being broadcast to millions of fans around the world.

Yes: Excelling 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 innate skill is combined with rigorous training and strength of purpose, often in the face of adversity.   

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.

Controversial - Causing a lot of angry public discussion and disagreement.

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

Novak Djokovic - A Serbian professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 1 in singles.

Conceding - Surrendering or yielding.

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.

Resounding - Unmistakable; emphatic.