Hassan and Tebogo Honored as World Athletes of the Year at 2024 Awards
Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana were named World Athletes of the Year at the 2024 World Athletics Awards in Monaco, following their historic Olympic performances. Hassan became the first woman to win medals in three long-distance events at a single Olympics, while Tebogo became Botswana’s first Olympic champion in the men’s 200m. The ceremony recognized many other top athletes and included a tribute to fallen world record holder Kelvin Kiptum.
Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and Letsile Tebogo from Botswana were celebrated as the World Athletes of the Year at the 2024 World Athletics Awards held in Monaco. Their remarkable performances during the Olympic Games in Paris significantly contributed to this recognition.
Hassan made Olympic history by becoming the first woman to secure medals in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon events within a single Olympic competition. The 31-year-old athlete triumphed in the marathon, finishing with an Olympic-record time of 2:22:55, achieving gold just a day and a half after earning bronze in the 10,000m and six days after her 5,000m bronze medal. This feat places her alongside the legendary Emil Zatopek, who achieved a similar accomplishment in 1952.
Tebogo, at the age of 21, distinguished himself by winning the men’s 200m event, thereby becoming Botswana’s first Olympic champion with a time of 19.46 seconds, a new African record. He also significantly contributed to securing a silver medal for his country in the men’s 4x400m relay. Throughout the season, Tebogo consistently broke the 20-second barrier in the 200m event, showcasing his remarkable athletic prowess.
In his acceptance speech, Tebogo emphasized the collective achievement, stating, “This is not just my achievement, it’s a victory for all of Africa. Hearing my name called was a surprise, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me.” Alongside these accolades, Tebogo received the Men’s Track Athlete of the Year award, while American athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was honored as the Women’s Track Athlete of the Year after breaking her own world record in the 400m hurdles twice in 2024.
Other notable recipients included Armand Duplantis from Sweden and Yaroslava Mahuchikh from Ukraine, who were awarded the Men’s and Women’s Field Athlete of the Year titles, respectively. Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola and Hassan were recognized in the out-of-stadium category. Additionally, the Rising Star awards honored Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew and Italy’s Mattia Furlani.
Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, expressed admiration for the athletes, stating, “This group of athletes represents the very best of our sport and has redefined what is possible in terms of athletic performance this year.” The ceremony concluded with a poignant tribute to Kelvin Kiptum, the marathon world record holder, who sadly passed away in a tragic accident earlier this year.
The 2024 World Athletics Awards spotlighted outstanding performances in athletics, particularly during the Olympic Games held in Paris, which functioned as the annual pinnacle event for athletes. The awards recognized athletes across various disciplines, highlighting their exemplary achievements over the past year. This event emphasized not only individual accomplishments but also the significance of collective representation in the sport.
The recognition of Sifan Hassan and Letsile Tebogo as World Athletes of the Year underscores their exceptional athletic achievements during the 2024 Olympic Games, where both athletes made history. Their performances symbolize significant milestones in athletics and serve to inspire future generations. The awards ceremony also celebrated a broad range of talents, reflecting the diverse and dynamic nature of the sport.
Original Source: www.china.org.cn
Post Comment