British swimmer Adam Peaty has given "special thanks" to his doubters after he was nominated for BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award.
The 19-year-old has emerged as a bright prospect for the Rio 2016 Olympics after he won two gold medals and one silver at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in the summer, before scooping four golds at the European Championships in Berlin.
Peaty is among the list of 10 nominees, including Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, boxer Carl Froch and favourites golfer Rory McIlroy and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton.
After the nominations were announced, Peaty wrote on Instagram: "Extremely proud and honoured to have been nominated BBC Sports Personality of the Year! Last season was amazing and I learned a lot from it but now it's about focusing on the bigger goals this season and beyond.
"Never live your life in the past, ignore the people who try to bring you down and ALWAYS follow your dreams, no matter how hard it is or how long it takes. I would like to thank all the people who have supported me this far and a special thanks to the people who doubted me, please, keep doubting! #BBC #SPOTY14 #TeamArena."
Peaty also broke the 50m breaststroke world record at the Europeans this summer.
Danielle Joynson
