Finucane now joins one of her heroes, fellow cyclist Geraint Thomas, as a twice-winner on the list of BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personalities of the Year.
“When [I was told] I’d won again I couldn’t believe it,” Finucane added.
“So many sports in Wales and so many amazing sports people in Wales who deserve this award too, and the fact I’ve won it again is insane – and I guess it is like winning an Olympic medal.
“I’m really passionate about my home country and competing for Wales, and I’m so excited for the Commonwealth Games in 2026 because I get to put back on that Welsh jersey which I haven’t for a long time.”
She was selected for the BBC Cymru Wales award by an expert panel chaired by Paralympic great and Sport Wales chair Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who was joined by former Wales footballer and netball player Nia Jones, Sport Wales’ Owen Lewis, Cardiff Metropolitan University’s dean of Sport and Health Sciences Professor Katie Thirlaway, and Welsh Rugby Union executive director of rugby Nigel Walker.
“It was an absolute privilege to chair this year’s panel as 2024 has been a fantastic year for Welsh sport,” Grey-Thompson said.
“It was incredibly tough for our panel to choose amongst the many Welsh athletes who have showcased an exceptional level of talent and dedication throughout the past year.
“Emma delivered an outstanding performance in Paris, becoming the first British woman since 1964 to win three medals in a single Games.
“However, it is important to acknowledge her consistency across all competitions this year, not just in Paris. Her remarkable performances in both the European and World Championships have undoubtedly highlighted what an extraordinary young athlete she is.”
Athletes who were highly commended during the panel’s deliberations included footballer Jess Fishlock, Para-shot putter Sabrina Fortune, boxer Lauren Price, Para-canoeist Laura Sugar, cyclist Elinor Barker, swimmer Matt Richards, Para-cyclist James Ball, Para-taekwondo athlete Matt Bush, Para-rower Ben Pritchard and Para-archer Jodie Grinham.
Finucane started riding when she was eight years old, along with her younger sister Rosie at Towy Riders.
After being spotted by the Great Britain Cycling Team, she joined the academy programme in 2018 and became a junior European champion a year later.
In 2023, Finucane took all four women’s sprint titles at the National Track Championships, followed by her first individual Track Nations Cup win in the sprint.
After winning two silver medals at the European Championships, she claimed her first world title at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships – becoming only the third British female sprint world champion, and the youngest at just 20 years old.
