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Bookmakers make swimmer Rebecca Adlington favourite narrowly ahead of Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and cyclist Chris Hoy.

Adlington, who has admitted she is worried that being the favourite will damage her chances of winning the award, said: "I am so excited but it is a bit weird to be the favourite to be honest - doesn't the favourite never win? It's a bit worrying but I just think people have been going crazy putting money on me."

She added: "It would be such a big honour and this year has got to be one of the toughest years it has ever been.

"All the 10 people who have been nominated could easily win it and it's just an honour to be nominated with them."

Only 13 women have won the award since it started in 1954, and only one swimmer, Anita Lonsbrough in 1962. Adlington, 19, became the first British woman to win an Olympic gold in the pool since Lonsbrough in 1960.

Hamilton also has a strong chance - he came second a year ago having finished second in the world drivers' championships and motor racing drivers traditionally do well in the voting: Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill plus boxer Sir Henry Cooper are the only people to have won it twice.

Hamilton himself says the number of Olympians on the 10-strong shortlist may affect his chances.

He said: "All I can say is that we are in an Olympic year and we have a huge amount of talent. I am honoured to be nominated. I was there last year and I know it is not an easy thing to win.

"I know there have have a lot of competitors who have done pretty amazing this year."