(Roy Rochlin)
Faith Kipyegon and Noah Lyles were named women's and men's World Athletes of the Year, respectively, on the track by World Athletics Monday (11 December) in a ceremony held in Monaco.
“The depth of talent and the outstanding performances in our sport this year more than justify the expansion of the World Athletics Awards to recognise the accomplishments by these six athletes across a range of disciplines,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, according to a press release that detailed the honours of the awards - which now includes a half dozen pro-level categories.
“Our World Athletes of the Year alone have achieved seven world records between them in 2023, as well as a host of world titles and major wins, so it is only fitting that they be recognised as the athletes of the year in their respective fields."
After breaking the 1500m and 5000m world records in 2023, Kipyegon stormed to gold over both distances in the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
Lyles' 2023 campaign saw him take three gold medals at the Worlds, with individual victories in the 100m and 200m and as part of Team USA's winning 4x100m relay squad.
Other winners Monday included Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa (World Athlete of the Year - Women’s Out of Stadia); Venezuela’s ‘Queen of the Triple Jump’ Yulimar Rojas (World Athlete of the Year - Women’s Field); Sweden's Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis (World Athlete of the Year - Men’s Field); and Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum (World Athlete of the Year - Men’s Out of Stadia).
Kenya swept the Rising Stars of the Year awards with Faith Cherotich and Emmanuel Wanyonyi picking up the honours.
Last year’s winners were 400m hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the US and pole vault world record holder Duplantis.
Winners were decided by the results of a ballot that combines the votes of the World Athletics Council (50%), the World Athletics Family (25%) and members of the public (25%).