Josh Kerr, the reigning 1500m world champion, has expressed his deep disappointment at not making it onto the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. In a lighthearted manner, he quipped about his curiosity to see the meeting notes that led to his exclusion from the final six nominees.
Faith Kipyegon crowned a spectacular 2023 by winning World Athletics Women’s Athlete of the Year for track events in a glittering ceremony in Monte Carlo on Monday, a night that also saw Faith Cherotich earn the Women's Rising Star award.
The world of athletics celebrated six remarkable athletes - Tigist Assefa, Mondo Duplantis, Kelvin Kiptum, Faith Kipyegon, Noah Lyles, and Yulimar Rojas - as the standout performers of 2023. These exceptional individuals were recognized for their outstanding achievements at the prestigious World Athletics Awards ceremony, marking the culmination of a year filled with exceptional records and accomplishments.
The President of World Athletics, Seb Coe, reiterated the governing body's unwavering position to uphold the prohibition on Russian and Belarusian athletes participating in track and field competitions. Despite the recent decision by the International Olympic Committee allowing athletes from these nations to compete in the Paris Olympics under specific conditions, Coe emphasized that World Athletics remains resolute in maintaining its ban.
In a challenging showdown against formidable weather and a demanding course, Kenyan runners Paul Lonyangata and Cynthia Limo exhibited exceptional patience and strategic prowess to secure commanding victories at the 51st Honolulu Marathon. Known for its grueling conditions with high humidity, relentless winds, and notorious hills, this marathon tested the mettle of all participants, resulting in slower finish times despite their remarkable efforts.
Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal of Norway secured her third consecutive European Cross Country Championships win, dominating the women’s 9km contest amidst the muddy terrain at Laeken Park in Brussels, Belgium. Yann Schrub seized the first senior men’s title for France in a close race on Sunday (10).
Yared Nuguse marked a stellar year by clinching a spectacular win at the Kalakaua Merrie Mile, his debut in road racing. This event featured a unique mixed-sex pursuit format, with professional women kicking off the race 30 seconds ahead of the men on the Waikiki course, resulting in combined prize money rankings.
Melbourne, Australia; 6 December 2023 - The strength of Australia’s middle-distance ranks will commence the year with a battle of Olympic proportions, as 2022 1500m world champion Jake Wightman books his ticket to Melbourne for the Maurie Plant Meet in February.
Perth, Australia; 5 December 2023 - The future stars of Australian athletics will make strides towards greatness this weekend in Perth, with the 2023 Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Athletics Championships set to unveil a fresh crop of champions.
The prowess of Valencia in long-distance running has reached new heights, exemplified by the remarkable 10,000m world records set in 2021 by Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda and Letensebet Gidey of Ethiopia. Their record-breaking feats during a spectacular event reverberated across the global headlines, solidifying Valencia's position as a leading destination for extraordinary athletic achievements.
