CCTV Sports Channel's annual Sports Personality Awards was an annual sports figure selection event organized by CCTV Sports Channel and strongly supported by the General Administration of Sport of China and the State Administration of Press and Publication.
It was the most authoritative award in the country. With the Rio Olympics having just concluded, that year's selection drew enormous attention.
The women's volleyball team that had returned to the top of the world, the men's basketball team that had made history by winning Gold Medal, the Dream Team Table Tennis Team and Diving Team that had swept everything aside, as well as Short Track Speed Skating and China Weightlifting, which had also made historic breakthroughs, were all favorites for team awards.
There were ten awards in total: Best Male and Female Athletes, best team, Coach of the Year, Best Combination, Best Newcomer, People's Sports Spirit, Best Non-Olympic Athlete, Annual Breakthrough, and the grand finale, the Jury Grand Prize.
For athletes, winning an award at this annual selection would greatly boost their personal influence within the country.
That was one of the reasons Tang Tian had returned to China. More importantly, quite a few fans would be present at the awards ceremony.
The historic vote total he had received in the NBA could not have happened without those fans. After the event, he would hold a fan meet-and-greet at the venue.
It was also a major perk he offered in return to his fans.
In fact, this year's selection owed much to Tang Tian's decision as well. Crowds surged both inside and outside the venue, making it the liveliest event since the awards had been established.
When Tang Tian and Olson appeared outside the venue, the crowd's cheers were already unstoppable.
Olson smiled and greeted the fans. She had rarely appeared