Dearing amongst Olympic and Paralympic heroes shortlisted for major awards

Olympic and Paralympic heroes are being shortlisted for major awards after having an incredibly successful summer at the Tokyo Games.

Alice Dearing, Ellie Simmonds, Tom Daley and Jane Figueiredo have been nominated for honours in the Women’s Sports Alliance Awards 2021.

Dearing, who this year became the first black woman to represent Team GB at an Olympic Games, has been named as a finalist for the Inspiration of the Year award – sharing company with American gymnast Simone Biles.

Speaking on her nomination, Dearing said: “I am so honoured and touched to be nominated for the WSA’s ‘Inspiration of the Year’ Award.

“To have my work recognised on this scale means a great deal and I am really hoping that people will look at swimming and sport as a whole and see the opportunities and experiences which are theirs for the taking.”

Five-time Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds is up for the Para-athlete of the Year award and has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to British sport.

Additionally, athlete-coach team Tom Daley and Jane Figuerido have been named in the Male Ally of the Year award and Coach of the Year award, respectively.

Winners for the Women’s Sports Alliance Awards 2021 will be revealed on 15 December. To cast a vote, click here.

Three nominated in Sportswomen of the Year Awards

Swimmers have been enjoying more award-nomination success as three athletes have been named as finalists in the upcoming Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards.

Bethany Firth, Maisie Summers-Newton and Dearing are amongst the finalists in a number of different categories – with winners being announced on 25 November.

Youngster Summers-Newton is among a shortlist of six athletes in the Young Sportswoman of the Year award while her Team GB teammate, Bethany Firth, has been named in the Disability Sportswoman of the Year award.

Summers-Newton impressed with a fantastic Paralympic debut in Tokyo as she won two gold medals. Firth, a veteran of the sport, secured a third consecutive Paralympic title in her main event.

Alongside her aforementioned nomination, Dearing is up for the Changemaker of the Year award and is described as being a ‘vocal advocate for diversity in her sport’.

Voting is open until 17 November and you can cast your vote by clicking here.