Ten sporting stars have been shortlisted for the British Elite Athletes Association’s (BEAA) 2024 Athletes’ Athlete of the Year award.

Now in its second year, the award is the only athlete-led prize that crosses all World Class Programme sports.

It invites all athletes currently or previously funded by the World Class Programme to nominate a fellow elite athlete and they now have the opportunity to vote for their male and female winner.

With the Olympics and Paralympics delivering countless memorable moments and medals, it has been another proud year for British sport. However, this award recognises more than just sporting success, with athletes also nominating those who have supported or inspired others outside of competition during the last 12 months.

The men’s shortlist includes: Dave Ellis and guide Luke Pollard (para-triathlon), Stephen McGuire (Boccia), Dan Pembroke(para-athletics), Benjamin Pritchard (para-rowing) and Duncan Scott (swimming).

The women’s shortlist comprises: Emily Craig (rowing), Jodie Grinham (para-archery), Abi Martin (gymnastics), Poppy Maskill(para-swimming) and Lauren Rowles (para-rowing).

Men's shortlist

‍Dave Ellis and Luke Pollard (guide)

Even by their high standards, 2024 proved a year to remember for para-triathlete, Dave Ellis, and guide, Luke Pollard. One of the sport’s leading lights, Dave and Luke swept all before them to win gold in the PTVI event at the Paralympics, World Championships and European Championships. Their nominator said: “Dave and Luke are the most committed guys around. They are great teammates and role models for the sport of triathlon and their dedication over the years is so impressive.”

Stephen McGuire

Paris was Stephen McGuire’s fourth Paralympics and proved to be his most memorable yet as he clinched Boccia gold in the BC4 individual event to claim his first medal at the Games after 20-years in the sport. Stephen’s Paris cycle was disrupted by a lengthy recovery from a leg and knee break sustained in 2022, but winning silver at the Montreal World Cup and gold at the Sao Paulo World Cup in 2024 earned him a late call up to the GB squad after receiving a bipartite slot. Away from Boccia Stephen is an ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Dan Pembroke

Dan Pembroke completed a world championship and Paralympic double in 2024, winning both titles for the second time. Gold in the Javelin F13 event at the World Para Athletics Championships in May set him up nicely to defend his Paralympic title in Paris, where he delivered an unforgettable performance. The 33-year-old broke the world record twice en route to clinching gold, with the second effort of 74.49m eclipsing the previous record by 3.48m. His nominator said: “Dan has demonstrated such dedication, resilience and tenacity. Breaking the javelin world record twice in Paris 2024 is the icing on the cake for an incredible story.”

Benjamin Pritchard

Para-rower Benjamin Pritchard followed up his 2024 European Championship bronze medal with a dominant performance to clinch gold in the PR1 single sculls at the Paralympics. Having set a paralympic record in the heats, Ben delivered an unstoppable performance in the final to beat reigning champion Roman Polianskyi by 11.37 seconds. Ben was appointed to ParalympicsGB’s Athletes’ Commission in 2024, is an ambassador for the London Irish Foundation as part of the UK Sport and National Lottery ChangeMakers campaign and sits on the World Rowing Athletes’ Commission. His nominator said: “I’m nominating Ben due to winning his event in Paris, his work in sports governance, the time he gives to support/promote athletes in the talent pathway and as a champion for para-sport and inclusion.”

Duncan Scott

Swimmer Duncan Scott wrote his name into the history books in Paris as he became Scotland’s most decorated Olympian. He won gold as part of the 4x200m men's relay team and silver in the 200m individual medley to take his medal tally to eight. Relay gold also saw him make history as part of the first team to successfully defend an Olympic swimming relay title with the same four swimmers.

Women's shortlist

Emily Craig

Rower Emily Craig put the pain of missing out on an Olympic medal by 0.01 seconds in Tokyo behind her as she claimed gold alongside Imogen Grant in the lightweight double sculls in Paris. It capped a fine cycle for Emily, who was unbeaten between Tokyo and the 2024 Games, but it is for her work outside of the boat for which she has been shortlisted. Acknowledging her effort as an athlete rep, Emily's nominator said: “She did all this [rowing achievements] while being an athlete rep and participating in communications meetings regularly. She has given back countless hours to her teammates.”

Jodie Grinham

Para-archer Jodie Grinham made history in Paris as she became the first pregnant athlete to win a Paralympic gold medal. She did so with victory in the mixed team compound final alongside Nathan MacQueen, which was her second medal of the Games after winning bronze in the individual compound event. Jodie, who was seven months pregnant at the time, won a further three medals in 2024: gold in the individual compound at the European Para Cup, silver in the double compound at the same competition and bronze in the compound doubles at the European Para Championships.

Abi Martin

Abi Martin enjoyed an excellent debut year as part of the British Gymnastics senior squad. The 16-year-old won floor bronze at the World Challenge Cup in Osijek and was also part of the women’s team that won silver at the European Championships in Rimini. At her first Olympics in Paris, she helped Team GB to a fourth-place finish in the team event and it is her efforts in her maiden senior season that have been recognised by her nominator. They said: “Abi has worked really hard to come up as a first-year senior and represent Team GB in the Olympics at 16, all while finishing her GCSEs.”

Poppy Maskill

Poppy Maskill was ParalympicsGB’s most successful athlete at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, claiming three gold and two silver medals on her Games debut. The 19-year-old won gold in the S14 100m butterfly in a world record time, in addition to gold in the S14 100m backstroke and 4x100m S14 freestyle relay. Her silver medals were achieved in the S14 200m freestyle and SM14 200m individual medley. Commenting on her Paralympics performance, the athlete who nominated her said: “Poppy supported others, swam so well and took in every moment.”

Lauren Rowles

Lauren Rowles made history at Paris 2024 to become the first three-time Paralympic gold medallist in rowing when she won the PR2 mixed double sculls alongside Gregg Stevenson. Lauren and Gregg set a new world and Paralympic record in the heats, becoming the first crew to row sub-eight minutes. Earlier in the year the duo won gold at the European Rowing Championships and, after Paris, were named World Rowing Para Crew of the Year.

What happens next?

‍All current and former World Class Programme athletes have until Monday 20 January to cast their votes. Current athletes are voting over email, while former athletes can get involved via the BEAA Alumni app. The winners will receive personalised trophies on behalf of the BEAA and our members past and present.