Tebogo-Hassan

Monte Carlo, Dec 2 (PL) - The International Athletics Federation (World Athletics) awarded the Dutch Sifan Hassan and the Botswanan Letsile Tebogo, as the best athletes of the year in their respective sexes in Monaco.

Hassan, the Olympic marathon champion, was also the best “off-track” athlete, and Tebogo, the gold medalist at Paris 2024 in 200 meters, in track competitions.

"Thanks to the fans and everyone who voted. I never thought I would win. This year has been crazy. It's not just me, all the athletes have been amazing. I'm so grateful, what more can I say," said the Ethiopian-born long-distance runner as she collected her award.

For his part, Tebogo was pleased with his season, in which he won Botswana's first Olympic gold medal in any sport, with an African record of 19.46 seconds, and was part of the men's 4×400-meter relay that won silver.

"This means a lot. It's not just about the team around you, there are a lot of fans who want us to win something big for the continent. It was a real surprise to hear my name because I wasn't expecting this," she confessed.

The best athlete of the year track was the American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, double summer champion in the 400m hurdles and 4×400.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchikh won the jumps and throws category, while Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis won the men's category.

The best male athlete outside the stadium was the Ethiopian Tamirat Tola, and the prizes for the best young athletes went to the Italian long jumper Mattia Furlani and the Ethiopian long-distance runner Sembo Almayew.