Two of the most remarkable runners in contemporary athletics, Sifan Hassan and Letsile Tebogo, were honored as the 2024 World Athletes of the Year during the prestigious World Athletics Awards held in Monaco on Sunday, December 1. The awards celebrated the year’s most exceptional athletes, highlighting their extraordinary performances on the global stage, including the Paris Olympics.
Sifan Hassan’s Historic Triple Triumph
Sifan Hassan, representing the Netherlands, solidified her place in history with an unprecedented feat at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competing across three grueling long-distance events, Hassan secured a bronze in the 5000m, another bronze in the 10,000m, and a gold medal in the marathon, where she set a new Olympic record of 2:22:55.
Her achievements in Paris marked the first time a female athlete had medaled in all three events at the same Games, a milestone not seen since Emil Zatopek accomplished it in the men’s category in 1952. Incredibly, Hassan achieved this within a week, covering a total of 62.2 kilometers, including heats.
Adding to her accolades, Hassan was named the ‘Women’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year’ for her dominance in marathon running. Reflecting on her remarkable year, Hassan said, “Thank you to the fans and everyone who voted. This year was crazy. I never thought I was going to win this one. I’m really grateful. What more can I say?”
This wasn’t Hassan’s first multi-medal Olympic performance. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, she claimed two golds in the 5000m and 10,000m, along with a bronze in the 1500m.
Letsile Tebogo: Botswana’s Sprint Sensation
On the men’s side, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo captured the spotlight as the World Athlete of the Year, following his electrifying performances at the Paris Olympics. Tebogo, already hailed as one of the fastest sprinters of his generation, showcased his dominance in the 100m and 200m events, winning gold in both.
Tebogo’s victories have cemented his place as a trailblazer for African athletes in sprinting, and his achievements were celebrated as a source of national pride for Botswana.
Other Notable Winners
The ceremony also recognized Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola, who was named the ‘Men’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year’. Tola, who won the 2023 New York City Marathon, stepped up as a last-minute replacement for Ethiopia’s Olympic marathon team and clinched gold in Paris with an Olympic record of 2:06:26.
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The annual World Athletics Awards celebrate excellence in track, field, and out-of-stadium events, bringing together fans, athletes, and officials to honor those who push the boundaries of the sport.
Hassan and Tebogo’s achievements are a testament to the resilience, determination, and sheer talent that define the best in athletics, inspiring the next generation of athletes worldwide.
