Olympic champions Letsile Tebogo (200m) and Sifan Hassan (marathon) were named “Athletes of the Year” on Sunday evening in Monaco by the International Athletics Federation (World Athletics), which also rewarded four other athletes who particularly shone at the Paris Olympics.
Botswana’s Tebogo was rewarded after becoming the first African sprinter to be crowned Olympic 200m champion in August. In Paris, he crossed the line in 19”46, ahead of the Americans Kenny Bednarek and the favorite Noah Lyles.
“It means a lot to me,” responded Tebogo, quoted in a World Athletics press release. “Not only for my team, but also for all the fans who want us to win for the entire continent” of Africa, he added.
Among the women, the Dutch Sifan Hassan was rewarded for her crazy sequence in the French capital. In ten days, she had run two 5,000 m (series and final), a 10,000 m and a marathon, and managed to win three medals in three races, including marathon gold at the end of a final that remained within the memories, neck and neck with the Ethiopian Tigist Assefa, world record holder.
“I didn’t think I was going to win this award,” Hassan said. “This year has been crazy, all the athletes have been at their best. »
Sacred Duplantis in the “competition” category
The international athletics federation has also decided to reward athletes who have particularly shone at the Olympics, whether on the road, on the track or in competitions.
In the “competition” category, the Swede Armand Duplantis was logically crowned. Undefeated in 2024, the pole vaulter had a perfect season with Olympic gold and a new world record (6.26 m).
The Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchikh was elected in the women’s category, after she improved the old high jump world record at just 22 years old (raised to 2.10 m) and also won gold Olympic in Paris.
In addition to Tebogo, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was awarded in the “track” category. The American had completed a historic lap in the Stade de France by beating her own world record in the 400m hurdles (50”37).
On the road, the International Athletics Federation also rewarded the Ethiopian Tamirat Tola, Olympic marathon champion.
