Europe's top sportsperson
December 26, 2012The winner was announced on Wednesday by the Polish Press Agency (PAP), which organizes the award. Journalists from 25 European news agencies cast their votes for the prize.
Vettel won with 137 votes, beating out Britain's Tour de France champ and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, Bradley Wiggins, by seven votes. Mo Farah, Britain's 5,000 and 10,000 meter Olympic champion, was a close third with 126 votes.
The PAP has awarded the European Sportsperson of the Year 55 times. On its website, the agency said the winner was selected from 73 athletes in 31 disciplines representing 28 countries. There were 47 men and 26 women among the choices.
Vettel becomes the fourth Formula One driver to win the distinction, and joins fellow German Michael Schumacher on the list of recipients. Schumacher won three times from 2001-2003.
Last year, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic was selected for the award.
mz/ipj (dpa, pap)