MAIDENHEAD'S Olympic golden girl Katherine Grainger admits she is 'hugely flattered' to be in the running for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards this Sunday.

The 37-year-old is one of 12 shortlisted contenders competing for the award with the public vote set to take place during the live show.

Grainger finally broke her duck of three successive Olympic silvers at London 2012 when she emphatically took gold at Eton Dorney alongside Wokingham's Anna Watkins in the double sculls.

But she faces fierce competition from the likes of Bradley Wiggins, Jessica Ennis, David Weir and Andy Murray.

Grainger said: "I'm surprised and hugely flattered to be on this year's list of nominees, particularly following the outstanding year of sport we've had, quite possibly the best year of British sport in memory.

"I'm glad I don't have to make a choice and I think everyone on the list feels they are in fantastic company. I am also very aware there are many outstanding names left off the list." Grainger's biggest cheerleader is rowing partner Watkins, who started a Facebook and Twitter campaign in a bid to boost votes.

Grainger added: "I am sure lots of people will be tuning in to Sports Personality to celebrate the summer all over again and many will vote," added Grainger.

"Some people are even organising Twitter and Facebook campaigns to whip up support for me. To you all, let me say a massive thanks from the bottom of my heart. I really, really appreciate it.

"Anna Watkins also deserves a particularly huge thank you from me. Without her wonderful athletic ability, her sharp racing mentality, her warm and generous humour and her ability to cope with enormous expectations and pressure, this summer would not have been what it was.

"She is not just a great crew mate but a great friend to have too." Scottish rower Grainger has been a member of the GB Rowing Team since 1997 and is GB's most successful Olympic female rower.

She was part of the quad that won GB women's first Olympic medal in Sydney 2000, won an MBE in 2006 for services to rowing and has won six World Championship titles in a glittering career.

Grainger has already been named "2012 Olympian of the Year" at the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards and was in the 2012 World Rowing Female Crew of the Year, as chosen by FISA.

She and Watkins also remained unbeaten this year and won gold at all three World Cups.

Ever since winning gold at Dorney, Grainger and Watkins have been on a non-stop tour of the country, showing off their gold medals to schools and community groups everywhere.

"As I've gone round the country with my medal it's become apparent just how important Team GB's performances at the London Games have been to everyone," she added. "I have been overwhelmed by the warm welcome I've received from young and old and from those who love sport and those who have never really been interested before.

"I don't really want it to stop, but it will eventually, so thank you once again to everyone who's welcomed me in schools, at events and elsewhere, and also to those of you who do decide to vote for me in the BBC Sports Personality event." Olympic and Paralympic athletes dominate this year's shortlist including cyclists Bradley Wiggins and Sir Chris Hoy plus athletes Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah.

Boxer Nicola Adams, sailor Ben Ainslie and Grainger herself join Paralympians Sarah Storey, Ellie Simmonds and David Weir. Tennis star Andy Murray and golfer Rory McIlroy make up the shortlist.

Public voting will take place on the night of the live show on BBC1, starting at 7.30pm this Sunday.

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