dominating the Field: Biles and Duplantis Crowned AIPS Athletes of the Year
The International association of Sports Journalists (AIPS) has named Simone Biles and Armand Duplantis as the top female and male athletes of 2024, respectively. This prestigious recognition comes after a global vote involving 518 journalists representing 111 countries.Biles, the American gymnastics sensation, secured a commanding victory, accumulating double the points of her closest competitor, Spanish footballer Aitana Bonmati. Her remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics, where she clinched three gold medals and one silver, solidified her position as a dominant force in the world of gymnastics.
Duplantis, the Swedish pole vaulting prodigy, also enjoyed a landslide victory, surpassing Serbian tennis star novak Djokovic by a significant margin. His dominance throughout the year culminated in a new world record at the Paris Olympics, further cementing his status as a legend in the making.the AIPS rankings highlight the extraordinary talent and achievements of athletes across various disciplines. Joining Biles and Duplantis in the top ten female athletes are Julien Alfred from St. Lucia (athletics) and Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands (athletics), showcasing the global reach and diversity of athletic excellence.
On the men’s side, Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar and French swimmer Leon Marchand secured third and fourth place, respectively, demonstrating the breadth of sporting prowess across different continents.
The AIPS Athlete of the Year awards serve as a testament to the dedication, skill, and unwavering spirit of these exceptional athletes who continue to inspire generations worldwide.
Full Rankings:
Female Athletes:
- Simone Biles (USA/gymnastics) – 703 points
- Aitana Bonmati (Spain/football) – 337 points
- Julien Alfred (St. Lucia/athletics) – 263 points
- Sifan Hassan (Netherlands/athletics) – 226 points
- Marta (Brazil/football) – 196 points
- Katie Ledecky (USA/swimming) – 187 points
- Mikaela Shiffrin (USA/alpine skiing) – 176 points
- Jaroslava Mahučič (Ukraine/athletics) – 165 points
- Beatrice Chebet (Kenya/athletics) – 157 points
- Iga Świątek (Poland/tennis) - 144 points
Male Athletes:
- Armand Duplantis (Sweden/athletics) – 603 points
- Novak Djokovic (Serbia/tennis) – 368 points
- Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia/cycling) – 294 points
- Leon Marchand (France/swimming) – 246 points
- Vinicius junior (Brazil/football) – 226 points
- Carlos Alcaraz (Spain/tennis) – 220 points
- Lamine Yamal (Spain/football) – 211 points
- Jannik Sinner (Italy/tennis) – 180 points
- Mijain López (Cuba/wrestling) – 172 points
- Rodri (Spain/football) - 144 points
Source: AIPS Media [[1]]
Welcome, sports enthusiasts, to this exciting discussion! As you know, we’re here today to celebrate the crème de la crème of the sporting world, as recognized by the International Association of Sports Journalists, or AIPS.
[2] It’s truly an honor, even for us seasoned commentators, to delve into the achievements of the athletes who’ve been crowned AIPS Athletes of the Year. This year, the spotlight shines upon two extraordinary individuals: Simone Biles and Armand Duplantis.
Now,Simone
Biles,a name synonymous with gymnastics,needs no introduction. Her dominance in the sport is unparalleled, with a trophy cabinet brimming with Olympic medals and World Championship titles.
[2]
Duplantis, the pole vault prodigy, has taken the track and field world by storm.His sky-high leaps, shattering records left and right, are a testament to his extraordinary talent and dedication.
We have a truly stellar lineup of panelists today, each with their own expertise and unique perspectives on these incredible athletes. We’ll be diving into their historic achievements, discussing their impact on their respective sports, and exploring what makes them such inspiring figures both on and off the field.
So, get ready for a dynamic and insightful conversation with some of the brightest minds in sports journalism.Let’s give Simone Biles and Armand Duplantis the recognition they deserve! Let’s begin!