Sir Chris Hoy on BBC sports award shortlist

The 36-year-old city-born cyclist, who was granted the Freedom of Edinburgh following his double gold-medal winning exploits in London this summer, took the prestigious prize four years ago.

Edinburgh University graduate Katherine Grainger, 37, has also been nominated after the rower finally took gold at the 2012 Olympics following silvers at three previous Games.

US Open tennis champion Andy Murray is the third Scot on the 12-strong list, which also includes Bradley Wiggins, Mo Farah and Paralympians David Weir and Sarah Storey.

Golfer Rory McIlory is the only sportsperson on the list who didn’t compete in the Olympics.

Barbara Slater, the BBC’s sport director, said: “The panel also reflected long and hard on the heroics of stars. If we ever needed reminding just how special a sporting year it has been, then the list of those sportspeople who did not make the final 12 is testament to that.”

There was no place on the list for several Olympic stars, including cyclists Jason Kenny, and Laura Trott, who both won two golds.