BBC Green Sport Awards 2025: Hector Pardoe wins athlete of the year

Athlete of the Year

Winner: Hector Pardoe

Why did he win?

The 24-year-old open-water swimmer has used his platform “for something bigger than just winning a medal”, speaking out about the UK’s poor water quality, which has caused the Olympian and his team-mates illness and threatens the future of his sport because of the closure of open-water venues.

In August Pardoe, who describes himself as a plant-based athlete, became the first person to swim the largest lakes in England, Scotland and Wales inside 24 hours, raising awareness for pollution and funds for campaign group Surfers Against Sewage.

Global Champion

Winner: Hector Bellerin

Why did he win?

Bellerin’s career-long commitment to sustainability is a shining example of athletes using their significant platform for good.

Since he fundraised to plant about 60,000 trees during his time at Arsenal, Bellerin has become the second-largest shareholder at Forest Green Rovers, the world’s first carbon-neutral football club, and launched a sustainable fashion brand producing made-to-order clothing with deadstock waste.

He is chief ambassador for Forever Green, the sustainability arm of his current club Real Betis, and an ambassador for Green Football’s Great Save campaign.