‘Bookie Prize’ writers under starter’s orders

They will face competition from the likes of cyclist David Millar and award-winning sportswriter Patrick Collins for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2011 award.

The multi-gold medal winning sprinter’s Gold Rush is an exploration of the psychological and personal qualities that create an Olympic champion.

The Italian football manager, who won the Champions League with AC Milan, is nominated for his autobiography.

The “Bookie Prize” winner will pick up a £23,000 cash prize, a £2,000 William Hill bet, a hand-bound copy of their book and a day at the races.

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said: “As befits the world’s richest sporting book prize, this year’s longlist boasts a rich variety of subject matter: ancient and modern; tragic and triumphant; mainstream and controversial.”

Tour de France cyclist Millar is also nominated for his autobiography, Racing Through The Dark.

Mr Collins, a columnist for the Daily Mail, is listed for Among The Fans, which charts his year observing supporters of different sports.

Also nominated is A Life Too Short by Ronald Reng, which tells the tragic story of the German international goalkeeper Robert Enke, who committed suicide in 2009.

Last year’s winner was Beware Of The Dog: Rugby’s Hardman Reveals All by Brian Moore.

The top three of the longlist for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2011 is as follows:

1. Carlo Ancelotti: The Beautiful Games Of An Ordinary Genius by Carlo Ancelotti with Alessandro Alciato (Rizzoli International Publications)

2. The Bicycle Book by Bella Bathurst (HarperPress)

3. Among The Fans: From Ashes To The Arrows, A Year Of Watching The Watchers by Patrick Collins (Wisden Sports Writing)