Last year’s London Olympians are expected to be among the leading contenders for Athletes of the Year when the 32nd annual Sports Awards ceremony is held at the Fairmont Southampton on Saturday (7pm start).The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation will host the Sports Awards which will see Premier Craig Cannonier and Minister of Community and Cultural Development, Wayne Scott, in attendance as the achievements of 25 individuals in six categories are recognised. Those likely to be in the running for awards include Olympians Tyrone Smith, Flora Duffy, Tyler Butterfield, Arantxa King, Jill Terceira, Roy Allan Burch and Jessie, Zander Kirkland and Jessica Lewis, Bermuda’s first wheelchair athlete to compete at the Paralympics.Also having an outstanding 2012 was professional footballer Nahki Wells who is the leading scorer for his English club, Bradford City, with 18 goals so far.Among the top junior athletes are Justin Donawa, a gold medal in the triple jump at last year’s Carifta Games staged here, runner Kyrah Scraders who won a silver in the 1500 metres at the Carifta Games and two golds (800 and 1500 metres) at the CAC Junior Championships in El Salvador. Middle distance runner Shaquille Dill won a silver in the Carifta Games and a silver at the Junior CAC Championships.Swimmer Jessie Washington, cyclists Garbriella Arnold and Daniel Oatley also had outstanding performances in 2012. Arnold and Oatley won gold medals in the Caribbean Junior Championships in Dominican Republic while swimmer Jessie Washington won five gold medals, a silver and a bronze at the Carifta Championships in Bahamas and seven medals at the Caribbean Island Swimming Championships in Aruba. Shannon Hassell also won a gold, silver and bronze at the Carifta Championships.The six awards categories include senior and junior Male and Female Athletes of the Year, Achievement Award, Appreciation Award, Sports Citation and Special Recognition Awards. Last year swimmer Lisa Blackburn and long jumper Tyrone Smith were the Senior Athletes of the Year and cyclist Dominique Mayho and swimmer Ashley Yearwood the Junior Athletes of the Year. Over the past 31 years the Government of Bermuda, through the annual Sports Awards, has presented over 600 awards.“With the Olympics just passing and some other international events we had, guests should get a good idea of some of the accomplishments that the athletes made during the 2012 year, and that could be anything from Tyler and Flora competing in triathlon events to Jessica Lewis becoming the first Bermudian to compete in a Paralympics,” said Cal Simons, Senior Sports Development Officer.“We have the other awards there as well like the Appreciation Awards that normally attract a variety of companies and groups that supported sports over the years. The Citation is for those athletes or past administrations who have continually supported their particular sport. Without the support of the volunteers and people who actually work with a lot of the National Sports Governing Bodies (NSGBs) it would be very difficult for them to function, so it’s very important to have awards like the Citation and Appreciation Awards.“With regards to the junior athletes, this year will mark the third year that Government will acknowledge the Junior Athletes of the Year.”Said Minister Scott who will be presenting Minister’s Awards for the national sports (football and cricket): “Bermuda is truly fortunate to have so many world class athletes and their achievements deserve to be recognised by all in the community and so I encourage everyone to attend the Sports Awards and commend our sporting community, including the significant role of our national sports governing bodies, coaches and volunteers.”Tickets for the Sports Awards are still available at $10 each but no tickets will be sold at the door on the night. Tickets can be purchased at the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation on Church Street.