Olympic champions Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands have been named the Male and Female World Athletes of the Year at the 2024 World Athletics Awards. The honors, announced on December 1 in Monaco, recognize their exceptional performances throughout the year, cementing their statuses as global athletics icons.
Letsile Tebogo: A Historic Year for Botswana
At just 21 years old, Letsile Tebogo has etched his name into the history books as Botswana’s first Male World Athlete of the Year. His crowning achievement came after an outstanding 2024 season, during which he claimed Olympic gold in the 200m at the Paris Games—the first Olympic gold medal for Botswana in any sport. His remarkable year also included anchoring Botswana’s 4x400m relay team to a historic silver medal in Paris.
Tebogo’s path to the award was paved with resilience and triumph. Earlier in the year, he overcame the personal tragedy of losing his mother, channeling his grief into record-breaking performances. In March, he set a world-best time in the rarely contested 300m event in Pretoria, South Africa, showcasing his unmatched speed and versatility.
Male World Athlete of the Year Winner
‘s Letsile Tebogo is your Male World Athlete of the Year #AthleticsAwards pic.twitter.com/bn8H1gc7r2
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) December 1, 2024
The Male Track Athlete of the Year winner had to fend off stiff competition, including Olympic 5000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen. However, Tebogo’s dominance in the sprints, combined with his role in Botswana’s relay success, secured him the top honor.
Sifan Hassan: Redefining Endurance Excellence
Sifan Hassan’s unparalleled versatility and endurance earned her the title of Female World Athlete of the Year. The Dutch star, already renowned for her prowess on the track, stunned the world in 2024 by becoming the first athlete in history—male or female—to win medals in the marathon, 10,000m, and 5000m at a single Olympic Games.
Hassan captured gold in the marathon in Paris, an achievement that also earned her the Female Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year award. Her marathon victory was marked by strategic brilliance and unrelenting determination, affirming her dominance across distances.
Female World Athlete of the Year Winner
‘s Sifan Hassan is your Female World Athlete of the Year #AthleticsAwards pic.twitter.com/KGhn4f3ZQ7
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) December 1, 2024
In the Out of Stadium category, Hassan overcame tough competition from Ruth Chepngetich, Kenya’s marathon specialist and the only Kenyan finalist in this year’s awards. Chepngetich had set a sensational record at the Chicago Marathon in October, but Hassan’s triple-medal feat on the Olympic stage secured her the award.
Additional Awards: Celebrating Excellence Across Disciplines
The 2024 World Athletics Awards recognized excellence across various disciplines:
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: The American 400m hurdles sensation was named Female Track Athlete of the Year. Her dominant performances, including a near-perfect season in her signature event, outshone competitors like Saint Lucia’s 100m Olympic champion Julien Alfred.
- Mondo Duplantis: The Swedish pole vault superstar added another accolade to his growing collection, winning Male Field Athlete of the Year. Known for his consistency and dominance, Duplantis continues to push the boundaries of his event.
- Yaroslava Mahuchikh: The Ukrainian high jumper was named Female Field Athlete of the Year for her outstanding achievements, further establishing herself as one of the premier athletes in her discipline.
- Tamirat Tola: Ethiopia’s marathon icon was crowned Male Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year. Tola’s Olympic marathon gold and his consistency in major road races earned him the honor over nominees like Ecuador’s 20km race walk champion Brian Pintado.
Winners of the 2024 World Athletics Awards: Sifan Hassan (Female World Athlete of the Year), Letsile Tebogo (Male World Athlete of the Year), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Female Track Athlete of the Year), Mondo Duplantis (Male Field Athlete of the Year), Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Female Field Athlete of the Year), and Tamirat Tola (Male Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year),
A Global Celebration of Athletics
The 2024 World Athletics Awards were the culmination of a rigorous selection process that included votes from fans, experts, and officials. Held in Monaco, the ceremony brought together the sport’s elite to celebrate a year filled with unforgettable moments.
Tebogo and Hassan’s victories symbolize the diversity and depth of talent in global athletics. Tebogo, representing Botswana, brought pride to a nation with his trailblazing achievements, while Hassan showcased the limitless potential of endurance athletes.
Botswana’s Rising Star
Tebogo’s triumph represents a seismic shift in global athletics, with Africa continuing to assert its dominance in sprinting—a realm historically dominated by the Americas and Europe. His Olympic gold and world-best performance in the 300m have placed him among the elite, signaling a bright future for the young sprinter.
The 21-year-old was serenaded by thousands in Botswana following his Olympic success, a moment that underscored the impact of his achievements on a nation that continues to grow as an athletics powerhouse.
Sifan Hassan’s Endurance Legacy
Hassan’s feats in Paris not only redefined the boundaries of endurance running but also elevated her legacy as one of the greatest distance runners of all time. Her ability to excel across such a wide range of events—from the 1500m to the marathon—underscores her unique skill set and adaptability.
Hassan’s dual honors as Female World Athlete of the Year and Female Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year highlight her influence on the sport and her remarkable consistency across disciplines.
A Year to Remember
The 2024 World Athletics Awards celebrated more than just individual excellence; they highlighted the resilience and inspiration that athletes bring to the world stage. Tebogo’s rise and Hassan’s dominance remind fans why athletics remains one of the most thrilling and diverse sports globally.
From sprints to marathons, the achievements of these champions inspire millions, proving that with dedication, talent, and hard work, the limits of human performance are boundless
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