MONACO — Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana have been named World Athletes of the Year at the 2024 World Athletics Awards. Held at the Théâtre Princesse Grace in Monaco, the event celebrated the finest achievements in athletics, highlighting historic feats, record-breaking performances, and emerging talent.
Historic Olympic Achievements
Sifan Hassan: A Triple Threat in Paris
Hassan made history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, becoming the first woman to claim medals in the 5000m, 10,000m, and the marathon at a single Olympics. Her victory in the marathon, achieved in an Olympic record of 2:22:55, came just 37 hours after winning bronze in the 10,000m and six days after her 5000m bronze. This remarkable feat mirrored Emil Zatopek’s 1952 achievements in men’s athletics.
“This year was unbelievable,” said Hassan, who also took home the Women’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year award. “I’m grateful for this recognition.”
Letsile Tebogo: A First for Botswana
Tebogo made history by securing Botswana’s first Olympic gold medal in any sport with his stunning performance in the 200m, clocking an African record of 19.46 seconds. The time ranked him fifth on the all-time global list. His achievements also included a silver medal as part of Botswana’s 4x400m relay team, capping a year where he ran sub-20 seconds for 200m on nine occasions.
“I didn’t expect this honor,” said Tebogo, who was also named Men’s Track Athlete of the Year. “This award is for Botswana and all of Africa.”
Excellence Across All Disciplines
The awards celebrated exceptional performances in track, field, and out-of-stadium categories:
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA), Women’s Track Athlete of the Year, broke her own 400m hurdles world record twice, winning Olympic gold in that event and the 4x400m relay.
- Mondo Duplantis (SWE), Men’s Field Athlete of the Year, set three world records in the pole vault, raising the bar to 6.26m.
- Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR), Women’s Field Athlete of the Year, claimed the high jump world record with a leap of 2.10m and secured Olympic gold.
- Tamirat Tola (ETH), Men’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year, dominated the marathon with an Olympic record in Paris.
The Rising Star Awards went to:
- Sembo Almayew (ETH), who set a championship record in the 3000m steeplechase at the U20 World Championships.
- Mattia Furlani (ITA), who set a U20 world record in the long jump at 8.38m and medaled at senior indoor and Olympic events.
Honoring Legacy and Contributions
The evening included a tribute to marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically passed away earlier this year. In addition, Nike co-founder Phil Knight received the President’s Award for his lifelong contributions to the sport.
“Running is at the core of Nike’s identity,” said Knight. “This award is a meaningful recognition of my passion for athletics.”
Celebrating a Landmark Year
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe praised the extraordinary achievements of the 2024 honorees: “This year’s athletes have pushed the limits of what’s possible, breaking records and inspiring millions around the world. Their dedication sets a new standard for excellence.”
The 2024 World Athletics Awards not only highlighted a remarkable year for the sport but also showcased the legacy being built by today’s champions for generations to come.
