Dutch marathon runner Sifan Hassan and Botswanan sprinter Letsile Tebogo were honored as the 2024 Athletes of the Year by World Athletics during a ceremony in Monaco. Both athletes earned gold at the Paris Olympics, cementing their legacies in the world of track and field.
Sifan Hassan’s Extraordinary Year
Hassan received double honors, winning both Women’s World Athlete of the Year and the Women’s Out-of-Stadium award. In a grueling seven days at the Paris Olympics, Hassan claimed bronze in the 5,000m and 10,000m before achieving a stunning gold in the marathon, narrowly defeating Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa. “This year was crazy,” said Hassan. “It’s not only me — all the athletes have been amazing.”
Letsile Tebogo’s Historic Sprint Victory
Tebogo became the first African to win Olympic gold in the 200m, crossing the line in 19.46 seconds at Stade de France. His remarkable achievement also earned him the Men’s World Athlete of the Year and Men’s Track awards.“This means a lot,” Tebogo said. “It’s not just about the team; it’s about the fans who want us to win something great for the continent.”
Other Olympic Stars Recognized
- Armand Duplantis (SWE): Won Men’s Field Athlete of the Year after an unbeaten 2024, clinching Olympic gold and breaking the world pole vault record at 6.26m.
- Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR): Took home the Women’s Field award after setting a high jump world record of 2.10m and winning Olympic gold.
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA): Honored in the Women’s Track category for breaking her own 400m hurdles world record with a time of 50.37 in Paris.
- Tamirat Tola (ETH): Awarded Men’s Out-of-Stadium Athlete of the Year for his Olympic marathon gold.
Rising Stars Recognized
- Sembo Almayew (ETH): Named Women’s Rising Star for her impressive steeplechase performances.
- Mattia Furlani (ITA): Earned Men’s Rising Star honors for his achievements in long jump.
Tribute to Kelvin Kiptum
The ceremony paid tribute to Kelvin Kiptum, the 2023 Men’s Out-of-Stadium Athlete of the Year and marathon world record-holder, who tragically passed away in February.
Complete List of Awards:
- Women’s World Athlete of the Year: Sifan Hassan (NED)
- Men’s World Athlete of the Year: Letsile Tebogo (BOT)
- Women’s Track: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA)
- Men’s Track: Letsile Tebogo (BOT)
- Women’s Field: Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR)
- Men’s Field: Armand Duplantis (SWE)
- Women’s Out-of-Stadium: Sifan Hassan (NED)
- Men’s Out-of-Stadium: Tamirat Tola (ETH)
- Women’s Rising Star: Sembo Almayew (ETH)
- Men’s Rising Star: Mattia Furlani (ITA)
