National TV awards for stars relaunched

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.