BEIJING - The 2011 CCTV Sports Personality of the Year event was launched on Thursday with more than 100 athletes nominated in a big candidates' pool, which is likely to get larger.

Regarded as China's "Sports Oscars", the awards honor the most outstanding groups or individuals in sports each year.

This year's awards, the 11th edition of the event, have 11 categories, including Male Athlete of the Year, Female Athlete of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year and Non-Olympic Athlete of the Year.

The nominees include women's tennis French Open champion, Li Na, men's 1,500m freestyle world record holder, Sun Yang, and men's gymnastics star Chen Yibing. Athletes from various events who performed well at major events this year, such as world championships and the Universiade, are also on the list. More athletes are expected to join the list in the final months of the year.

A large panel of judges, which includes sports officials, former athletes and journalists, will select the final nominees in the middle of December.

The winners will be announced at a grand ceremony on Jan 15 at the National Indoor Stadium, the venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympic gymnastics events.

China Daily