Rory McIlroy moves audience to tears at BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony
Rory McIlroy was moved to tears at this evening’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in Salford whilst honouring the fathers of two children killed in last summer’s Southport tragedy, reports BritPanorama.
The Northern Irish golfer, widely tipped to claim the prestigious award following his remarkable Masters victory, became visibly overcome with emotion during the live broadcast.
The poignant moment came shortly after Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe were presented with the Helen Rollason Award for their extraordinary efforts in completing the London Marathon earlier this year.
Both men ran the 26.2-mile course to commemorate their daughters, who lost their lives in the devastating attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop. Aguiar and Stancombe were honoured for raising funds through their marathon efforts in April, creating lasting tributes to their daughters Alice da Silva Aguiar, aged nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, who was seven.
The two girls perished alongside six-year-old Bebe King when Axel Rudakubana carried out his attack at the Southport dance class in July 2024.
The Helen Rollason Award, established in memory of the BBC Sport presenter who passed away from cancer in 1999, celebrates remarkable achievement in the face of adversity. Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler and comedian John Bishop presented the honour to the grieving fathers during the ceremony.
When host Clare Balding enquired how fatherhood had altered his perspective on his sporting achievements, McIlroy found himself struggling to compose his words. “I think as being a father of a little girl, seeing Alice’s and Elsie’s dad up there tonight – they are two absolute heroes,” the golfer said, pausing as he blinked away tears whilst the audience applauded.
After gathering himself, he continued: “Being a dad, it makes the losses easier, but it also makes the wins even more special. So to share that with Erica and Poppy [is special].” His young daughter Poppy had been present at Augusta when he secured his historic Masters triumph.
The bereaved fathers delivered deeply moving speeches upon accepting their award. Aguiar expressed his gratitude, stating: “Thank you everyone for the award it means a lot to me, my wife, and my princess Alice. I want to dedicate this award to our three girls: Alice, Elsie and Bebe. Keep dancing.” He pledged to continue spreading his daughter’s legacy worldwide through ongoing fundraising efforts.
Stancombe spoke of fulfilling a promise to his child, stating: “I’m very grateful to accept the award tonight but I’m just a dad keeping a promise to his little girl. Elsie wanted me to run the London Marathon and I did.”
Even in moments of deep sorrow, the tenacity displayed by these fathers underscores the profound intersection of personal grief and public remembrance, a reflection of how sports can weave together the fabric of community in the face of tragedy.
