Rutherford has confirmed he will take part, despite “derogatory” comments from a “fellow SPOTY nominee”.
British Olympic gold medalist Greg Rutherford has denied reports he threatened to withdraw from the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award over controversial comments made be fellow nominee Tyson Fury.
Heavyweight boxer Fury compared homosexuality and abortion to paedophilia in an interview with The Mail on Sunday last month, before going on to win the IBF world heavyweight title against Wladimir Klitschko on 28 November.
Fury told journalist Oliver Holt that three things were going to happen “before the devil comes home”.
“One of them is homosexuality being legal in countries, one of them is abortion and the other is paedophilia,” he said. “Who would have thought in the 50s and 60s that those first two would be legalised?”
Following his victory against Klitschko, Fury was named on the shortlist for the BBC SPOTY award alongside 11 other athletes, including long jumper Rutherford.
Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty Images
It was reported by the Belfast Telegraph today that Rutherford had threatened to pull out of the competition in protest at Fury's inclusion on the list, but the athlete has denied the claims.
"In light of seeing reports circulating regarding my involvement with BBC Sports Personality Of The Year, I feel I should clarify the current situation," Rutherford said in a statement released by his manager.
Belfast Telegraph
The Olympian confirmed he had been in communication with the BBC over "derogatory comments" made by a "fellow SPOTY nominee", but said he will be taking part in the competition regardless.
Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty Images
"I have been in discussions with the BBC regarding my involvement with SPOTY after hearing what I believe to be very out-dated and derogatory comments from a fellow SPOTY nominee.
"Everybody has the right to freedom of speech, which is something that we as a society have struggled with and fought for generations to get to where we are now but by the nature of these comments, undermine the struggles that we have been through.
"As such, I wanted to speak with the BBC about sharing a stage with somebody that had views that are so strongly against my own. After doing so, I can confirm that reports that I am withdrawing from the ceremony are not true.
"The BBC have been hugely supportive in hearing my own views and I am hugely honoured and privileged to be included on the shortlist for such a prestigious event alongside so many remarkable sporting personalities, majority of whom I will proudly say to my son I had the chance to meet."
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