AS ALWAYS the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist has caused quite a debate.
I have had numerous discussions since the 12 nominees were announced on Monday.
Last year the question on everyone's lips was: where are all the women?
That was after a list of ten names was revealed, all ten of them men.
This time around four female candidates have made the final 12, a number increased this year because of the London 2012 Olympics and the fabulous summer of sport that we enjoyed.
So how is it possible to decide just who is the most worthy of all those put forward.
I'll tell you, Bradley Wiggins.
You need look no further than what that man has achieved in 2012, especially in a sport that has been brought to its knees this year.
And while there are questions to be raised about his biggest achievement this year, the one that most people will look at and say 'that's why he deserves it' - his Tour de France triumph - he has done so much more than that.
My one real gripe about this year's list is the inclusion of rower Katherine Grainger.
Now I've got no issue with her achievement whatsoever. She was sensational in the double sculls at the Olympics, tearing through all opposition to scoop gold with partner Anna Watkins.
But it's just that, she had a partner, without Watkins she could not have won gold in that event.
Is Watkins on the list?
No.
Why?
Because she does not have the same story as Grainger, who was always the bridesmaid, winning three Olympic silver medals until this gold, and never the bride.
It's a good story, yes, one that us journalists love and jump on at any given opportunity, but why have these awards suddenly become like the X-Factor, where every useless singer talks into camera about a lost family member who "wanted me to follow my dream"?
Tony McCoy won BBC Sports Personality in 2010. Yes he had a good season, but he was retiring and it seemed more like it was a 'he's never going to get the chance to win it again' rather than an award for a successful sporting year.
The year before it went to Ryan Giggs, who had won the Premier League title and got to the Champions League final, but again it seemed to be more of a celebration of his whole career - 11 titles and all that - rather than the year itself.
For me it should be about sporting achievement that year, but it's the public's choice and because of that you have to look at the emotional value of each candidate as well as their achievements.
By the same token of Grainger being part of a team, or duo, you have to, not question, but look at Wiggins' Tour victory.
It's an individual sport with team connotations, and without the help of the Team Sky riders behind him, picked for an working on his behalf, Wiggins would have found it more challenging to come out on top.
So should he win?
Well, yes.
In claiming the Tour de France he became the first ever Briton to achieve that feat. Some achievement.
Don't forget he stormed to victory in the Olympic time trial as well.
But not only that, he won the Paris-Nice, the Tour de Romandie and the Criterium du Dauphine. They are events that many people who do not watch a lot of cycling will know about, but they show what a wonderful year Wiggins has had and support why he is the outstanding choice to win and the bookmakers' favourite.
Of the 12 personalities on the list, only one did not take part in the Olympics, but he is a thoroughly deserving candidate for the award.
History tells us that in Olympic years, and Olympian comes out on top. See Sir Chris Hoy, nominated again this time, in 2008, Dame Kelly Holmes in 2004 and Sir Steve Redgrave in 2000.
So Rory McIlroy can count himself unlucky to be regarded as a 125-1 outsider to win it this year. The World number one's year speaks for itself. He added a second Major title to his fledgling career by winning the PGA Championship, was named PGA Player of the Year, was the PGA Tour leading money winner, won the European Tour Order of Merit and was part of a successful European team in the Ryder Cup.
Not bad eh?
Any other year he would be one of the favourites. Not this time around.
I would happily vote for him, and I might have a flutter on him finishing in the top three, he's 50-1 to do that.
For me though, the biggest contenders to Wiggins making it two cyclists winning in a row, are Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and Andy Murray.
Are Ennis' achievements better than Wiggins? Not for me, but she's the golden girl and heptathlon gold is no mean feat.
Farah was simply sensational in doing the 5000m and 10,000m double in London, disciplines generally dominated by African athletes. He would be a worthy winner.
And then there's Murray.
I'm a self-confessed Murray fanatic and I would love nothing more than to see him scoop the award. And there's no reason why he shouldn't.
He was only denied a place in the Australian Open final after an almost five-hour epic semi against Novak Djokovic. Then he reached the Wimbledon final, making ever British tennis fan's day. He lost that against Roger Federer but stormed back after that disappointment to beat the Swiss in the final of the Olympics to pick up a gold medal, which he added silver to in the mixed doubles when teaming up with Laura Robson.
Then the coup de grace, winning his first Grand Slam - the US Open - defeating Djokovic in five sets and putting 76 years of British tennis hurt to bed.
When people think about 2012 though, they think about the Olympics and the shortlist recognises that. So with 11 of the 12 being Olympians, it's up for grabs...
I have had numerous discussions since the 12 nominees were announced on Monday.
Last year the question on everyone's lips was: where are all the women?
That was after a list of ten names was revealed, all ten of them men.
This time around four female candidates have made the final 12, a number increased this year because of the London 2012 Olympics and the fabulous summer of sport that we enjoyed.
So how is it possible to decide just who is the most worthy of all those put forward.
I'll tell you, Bradley Wiggins.
You need look no further than what that man has achieved in 2012, especially in a sport that has been brought to its knees this year.
And while there are questions to be raised about his biggest achievement this year, the one that most people will look at and say 'that's why he deserves it' - his Tour de France triumph - he has done so much more than that.
My one real gripe about this year's list is the inclusion of rower Katherine Grainger.
Now I've got no issue with her achievement whatsoever. She was sensational in the double sculls at the Olympics, tearing through all opposition to scoop gold with partner Anna Watkins.
But it's just that, she had a partner, without Watkins she could not have won gold in that event.
Is Watkins on the list?
No.
Why?
Because she does not have the same story as Grainger, who was always the bridesmaid, winning three Olympic silver medals until this gold, and never the bride.
It's a good story, yes, one that us journalists love and jump on at any given opportunity, but why have these awards suddenly become like the X-Factor, where every useless singer talks into camera about a lost family member who "wanted me to follow my dream"?
Tony McCoy won BBC Sports Personality in 2010. Yes he had a good season, but he was retiring and it seemed more like it was a 'he's never going to get the chance to win it again' rather than an award for a successful sporting year.
The year before it went to Ryan Giggs, who had won the Premier League title and got to the Champions League final, but again it seemed to be more of a celebration of his whole career - 11 titles and all that - rather than the year itself.
For me it should be about sporting achievement that year, but it's the public's choice and because of that you have to look at the emotional value of each candidate as well as their achievements.
By the same token of Grainger being part of a team, or duo, you have to, not question, but look at Wiggins' Tour victory.
It's an individual sport with team connotations, and without the help of the Team Sky riders behind him, picked for an working on his behalf, Wiggins would have found it more challenging to come out on top.
So should he win?
Well, yes.
In claiming the Tour de France he became the first ever Briton to achieve that feat. Some achievement.
Don't forget he stormed to victory in the Olympic time trial as well.
But not only that, he won the Paris-Nice, the Tour de Romandie and the Criterium du Dauphine. They are events that many people who do not watch a lot of cycling will know about, but they show what a wonderful year Wiggins has had and support why he is the outstanding choice to win and the bookmakers' favourite.
Of the 12 personalities on the list, only one did not take part in the Olympics, but he is a thoroughly deserving candidate for the award.
History tells us that in Olympic years, and Olympian comes out on top. See Sir Chris Hoy, nominated again this time, in 2008, Dame Kelly Holmes in 2004 and Sir Steve Redgrave in 2000.
So Rory McIlroy can count himself unlucky to be regarded as a 125-1 outsider to win it this year. The World number one's year speaks for itself. He added a second Major title to his fledgling career by winning the PGA Championship, was named PGA Player of the Year, was the PGA Tour leading money winner, won the European Tour Order of Merit and was part of a successful European team in the Ryder Cup.
Not bad eh?
Any other year he would be one of the favourites. Not this time around.
I would happily vote for him, and I might have a flutter on him finishing in the top three, he's 50-1 to do that.
For me though, the biggest contenders to Wiggins making it two cyclists winning in a row, are Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and Andy Murray.
Are Ennis' achievements better than Wiggins? Not for me, but she's the golden girl and heptathlon gold is no mean feat.
Farah was simply sensational in doing the 5000m and 10,000m double in London, disciplines generally dominated by African athletes. He would be a worthy winner.
And then there's Murray.
I'm a self-confessed Murray fanatic and I would love nothing more than to see him scoop the award. And there's no reason why he shouldn't.
He was only denied a place in the Australian Open final after an almost five-hour epic semi against Novak Djokovic. Then he reached the Wimbledon final, making ever British tennis fan's day. He lost that against Roger Federer but stormed back after that disappointment to beat the Swiss in the final of the Olympics to pick up a gold medal, which he added silver to in the mixed doubles when teaming up with Laura Robson.
Then the coup de grace, winning his first Grand Slam - the US Open - defeating Djokovic in five sets and putting 76 years of British tennis hurt to bed.
When people think about 2012 though, they think about the Olympics and the shortlist recognises that. So with 11 of the 12 being Olympians, it's up for grabs...