The British Paralympic Association (BPA) today congratulated Kelly Gallagher and Charlotte Evans for their nomination for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, capping off a fantastic year for the pair after they claimed a historic gold medal at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
Gallagher and Evans raced to victory in the women’s VI Super-G in Sochi, the first ever gold medal for ParalympicsGB at a winter Games. It was also the first gold medal for any British Alpine skier, at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games.
Gallagher said: “I’m so thrilled to be named on the shortlist for Sports Personality this year, it’s such an incredible honour and it means the world to Charlotte and me. To win ParalympicsGB’s first gold medal at a winter Games was such a proud moment and now to be recognised for our achievements at Sports Personality, alongside such a talented set of athletes, is just fantastic.”
Evans added: “I’m delighted that Kelly and I have been named on the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality. It’s amazing to be recognised for our achievements in Sochi and for all of the hard work that we put in to win that gold medal.
“I don’t think it will truly sink in until the ceremony begins, but this is truly a once in a lifetime experience and definitely one to savour. I’m so proud that Kelly and I can be part of this, representing Alpine Skiing and Paralympic sport at such a prestigious event.”
ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe, who led ParalympicsGB to their most successful ever performance at a Paralympic Winter Games and a 10th place finish on the medals table, was delighted to see the pair named on the shortlist.
Briscoe said: “This really is fantastic news for Kelly and Charlotte and it rounds off a memorable year for them. Not only does it recognise their achievement in Sochi, but it also pays tribute to all of the dedicated training and hard work that led to that historic gold medal and I couldn’t be happier to see them representing Paralympic Winter sport at one of the biggest celebrations in the sporting calendar.”
Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of the BPA, added: “I’m thrilled that our athletes have been shortlisted for Sports Personality this year and it’s great to see Paralympians quite rightly included among some of the brightest sporting talents in this country.
“It’s been another outstanding year of sport, but there was no greater highlight for me than their winning ParalympicsGB’s first ever winter gold medal. I really hope that the British public get behind their Paralympians as they did in Sochi and cast their vote for Kelly and Charlotte when the awards take place on December 14.”
BBC Sports Personality of the Year will take place on Sunday December 14 at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow and will be broadcast live on BBC One. Voting will take place during the evening, with the results announced at the end of the show.
