Tale of Russian doping wins the 2020 William Hill Sports Book of the Year

Dr Grigory Rodchenkov, the man behind Russia's state-sponsored doping programme, has won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year.

His tell-all book, The Rodchenkov Affair: How I Brought Down Putin’s Secret Doping Empire, provides a detailed account of how he came to blow the whistle on what has been described by the World Anti-Doping Agency as the biggest sporting scandal in world history.

The judging panel, chaired by Alyson Rudd, stated there was simply no contest for the top honour given the book's stunning revelations, captivating narrative and far-reaching effects.

"The book was praised for its searing honesty and bravery as Rodchenkov explains in gripping detail how he helped Russian athletes, who cheated through doping, escape detection," said Rudd.

"He's a whistleblower like few others, and he remains a 'ghost', living in the US, separated from his family – the price he pays for wanting 'to be on the side of truth'."

Rodchenkov, whose story first came to light in Bryan Fogel's award-winning documentary Icarus, will receive £30,000 and a leather-bound copy of his book after becoming the award's 32nd winner.

He was one of five authors shortlisted for the award, alongside Ruqsana Begum, Ian Ridley, Scott Ellsworth and Ashley Gray.

Watch live races through the Racing Post website. Log in to your bookmaker account via the bookmaker button at the top of the page and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here