World Athletic Awards announce nominees for 2024 Track Athlete of the Year
This year’s 2024 World Athletic Awards nominees represent some of the world’s most outstanding talent, showcasing exceptional achievements across various disciplines. These athletes have not only set records and reached historic milestones but have also redefined the limits of human performance on the global stage. Selection of the winner is by open public voting through a link provided by the World Athletics on its social media platforms.
This year’s nominees are Julien Alfred, Beatrice Chebet, Faith Kipyegon, Sydney McLaughlin, Marileidy Paulino, and Gabby Thomas.
Julien Alfred
The 23 year old track star from Saint Lucia shocked the media waves when she had an outstanding 100m win at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Her victory made history for Saint Lucia who never medaled at the Olympics. Julien completed the run in 10.72 seconds, which was a new record for her country and made her the eighth fastest woman on earth. The 100m race was heavily contested with athletes like Sha’carri Richardson (second place at 10.87) and Jefferson Melissa (third place at 10.92). Julien also took silver in the 200m finals. Prior to the Olympics, she won gold in the 60m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championship Glasgow 24. Her victory has become a beacon of hope for her country. She has since been named the tourism ambassador of Saint Lucia, had parades held in her honor and has a new Saint Lucia national holiday named in her honor.
Beatrice Chebet
The 24-year-old Kenyan made her Olympic debut in this year’s 2024 Paris Olympic Games winning two gold medals in the 5000m and 10,000m. Beatrice beat her teammate Faith Kipyegon and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, the former record holder. Four days later, she won first place beating Italy’s Nadia Battocletti and Sifan Hassan. Like Julien, her achievement was more than a personal triumph; it was a celebration of national pride as she became the first track athlete to win two Olympic gold medals in long-distance running. Before the Olympics, she had already set a world record by running under 29 minutes (28:54.1) at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.
Faith Kipyegon
Yet another Kenyan in the race for Track Athlete of the year. Faith has had an incredible year on the track. She defended her 1500m record at the Olympics making her the only athlete – male or female – to hold three Olympic gold medals in 1500m. She currently holds the World Record for 1500m, which she posted earlier in Paris at the Diamond League with a time of 3:49.04. Prior to the 1500m, she won Silver in the 5000m coming in behind Beatrice Chebet. The 30-year-old defended her title recently at the Rome Diamond League where she won gold in 1500m with a time of 3:53.89.
Sydney McLaughlin
Sydney entered the 2024 Paris Olympics with a World Record to defend in the women’s 400m hurdles. She also held a record of 51.46s in the Tokyo Olympics. At the Olympics games in Paris, she set a new World Record of 50.37s taking gold. Sydney was part of the Paris Olympic Games Team competing on Team USA’s 4×400 meter relay winning Gold. Other athletes on the team were Shamier Little, Gabby Thomas, and Alexis Holmes. Sydney holds the fastest 4x400m split ever by an American and is the third fastest in the world with a record of 47.71 split. Her split in the relay gave the American squad a commanding lead against the other teams and set a new World Record of 3:15.27 for America which is second in the world. She left Paris as a two-time Gold Medal Winner.
Marileidy Paulino
The Dominican Republic athlete set an Olympic Record in the 400m at the Paris Olympic Games with a time of 48.17s. Just like Julien Alfred, Marileidy became the first woman from her country to win a gold medal at an Olympic Games. She broke the twenty-eight-year 400m record set at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games, she won a silver medal in the same category which was equally impressive as she was the first woman from her country to win an individual Olympic medal. Post Paris Olympics, she extended her 2024 unbeaten streak winning the women’s 400m at the September Diamond League finals in Brussels. She remains unbeaten in one lap competitions since the 2023 Diamond League games in Silesia, Poland.
Gabby Thomas
The Paris Olympics was a dream come true for the twenty seven year old American as she sprinted across the finish line to win her first individual Olympic gold medal. Gabby was part of the Team USA women’s track and field 4x100m and 4x400m, which both won gold in exciting events. She became the second American track and field athlete to bring home three medals from the Olympic Games.
These nominations highlight the year’s top performances in track and field, recognizing those who inspire others and bring pride to their nations through dedication, resilience, and athletic excellence. This honor celebrates their influence on the sport and their impact in setting new standards for future generations.
Winners Announced
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Monaco on December 1, 2024.
