Two separate stories of how high-profile gay sportsmen struggled to come to terms with their sexuality are among the contenders for a £26,000 literary prize.
A biography of Olympic champion figure skater John Curry and the memoirs of Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas have both made the shortlist for the William Hill Sports Books of the Year Award.
Thomas, who captained his national team and was the first Welshman to win 100 international caps in rugby union, came out in 2009, in contrast to Curry who was outed by the media and died penniless, aged 44, after being diagnosed with Aids.
Alone: The Triumph And Tragedy Of John Curry is written by former documentary-maker Bill Jones. Other books on the shortlist include a biography of footballer Bobby Moore, the autobiography of a Spanish endurance athlete and a report of an Australian rules footballer on trial for rape.
The shortlist is completed by a history of spectator sports and Played In London, which surveys the story of sport in the city.
William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe, who co-founded the award, said: "In this year's rich and varied shortlist lie compelling explorations of the personal struggles and triumphs of some of our most esteemed sporting figures, an inquiry into the dark side of sporting culture and not one, but two, fascinating social histories."
As well as the cash prize, the winning author receives a free bet of £2,500, a hand-bound copy of their book and a day out at the races.
The winner, decided by a judging panel including broadcaster Danny Kelly, will be announced at Bafta in London on Thursday, November 27.
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