BBC Sports Personality of Year nominee set for Ballymena

One of the finalists in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year is set for Ballymena this weekend.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year.BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Gymnast Max Whitlock, one of the 12 contenders for the prestigious accolade, will visit the Valdez Gym in Ballymena on Friday.

The Englishman, who made history last month, becoming the first British man to win a World Gymnastics title, will be touring Northern Ireland, in a bid to inspire more children to take up gymnastics.

He will be the second high-profile visitor to Valdez this year after Olympic bronze medallist Beth Tweddle officially opened the Woodside Road premises in June.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year contender Max Whitlock will visit the Valdez Gym in Ballymena on Friday.BBC Sports Personality of the Year contender Max Whitlock will visit the Valdez Gym in Ballymena on Friday.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year contender Max Whitlock will visit the Valdez Gym in Ballymena on Friday.

Whitlock will be aiming to land the sought-after BBC Sports Personality of the Year title when he goes up against stars including tennis ace Andy Murray, FOrmula One world champion Leiws Hamilton and athletes Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis-Hill.

The winner will be announced when the awards ceremony takes place in Belfast - for the first time - on December 20.