Andy Murray hot favourite to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2016

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Mark Staniforth17 December 2016

Great Britain's Rio heroes are set to end their golden year on a high at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in Birmingham on Sunday night.

All but three of the 16 shortlisted stars wrapped gold medals around their necks at the Olympics or Paralympics this summer, and are expected to sweep the top three places in the public vote.

Andy Murray's second Olympic title followed another Wimbledon singles crown and his achievement in usurping Novak Djokovic as year-ending world number one earlier this month makes him the unbackable favourite for the crown.

Triathlete Alistair Brownlee was considered an outsider on the list in spite of his Olympic title - until footage of him helping stricken brother Jonny over the line at a World Series event in Mexico went viral and saw him installed as second favourite.

Meanwhile veteran showjumper Nick Skelton, who struck gold in Rio at the age of 58, has also seen his odds reduced this week as he bids to become the first winner of the award for his sport since Zara Phillips in 2006.

The three athletes on the list who did not win medals in Rio are golfer Danny Willett - who finished joint 37th on his Olympic debut having previously won the US Masters - and footballers Jamie Vardy and Gareth Bale.

Three Paralympic champions - Sarah Storey, Kadeena Cox and Sophie Christiansen - make the shortlist and could become the first Paralympians to make the top three since Tanni Grey-Thompson in 1997.

Eight-times dressage champion Christiansen said: "I'm so honoured. I think I'm nominated for this award because of the longevity of my career. It's nice to be recognised even though I'm not in a popular sport."

Jason and Laura Kenny are both shortlisted following their record-breaking exploits in the Rio Velodrome, while Max Whitlock, who became the first British gymnast to win Olympic gold - and did it twice - is also nominated.

Mo Farah, Nicola Adams, Adam Peaty and Kate Richardson-Walsh, who captained Great Britain's hockey women to a hugely popular gold medal in Rio, complete the extended shortlist.

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