December 02, (THEWILL) – Dutch marathon runner Sifan Hassan and Botswanan sprinter Letsile Tebogo dominated the World Athletics Awards in Monaco, receiving top honours for their extraordinary performances at the Paris Olympics.
Hassan and Tebogo were named Athletes of the Year, celebrating their remarkable achievements on the international athletics stage in 2024.
Hassan’s incredible Olympic performance encompassed multiple disciplines, winning bronze medals in the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres, while securing a spectacular gold in the marathon by outsprinting world record holder Tigist Assefa.
“I never thought I was going to win this one,” Hassan remarked during the ceremony. Her versatility and exceptional endurance marked her as a standout athlete of the year.
Tebogo made history by becoming the first African Olympic champion in the 200 metres, crossing the line at the Stade de France in 19.46 seconds.
Defeating American athletes Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles, he expressed surprise at his recognition. “It means a lot,” Tebogo stated, emphasising the significance of his achievement for African athletics.
Other notable recipients included Swedish pole-vaulter Armand Duplantis, who remained unbeaten in 2024 and set a new world record of 6.26 metres, and Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who improved the world record to 2.10 metres at just 22 years old.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was also honoured for her world-record performance in the 400 metres hurdles.
The ceremony paid tribute to marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically died in a road traffic accident in February, remembering his significant contributions to the sport.
The event celebrated the extraordinary athletic achievements of 2024, highlighting the global talent and dedication within international athletics.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
