HASSAN, TEBOGO RUN AWAY WITH AWARDS

Olympic champions are Athletes of the Year after fruitful 2024; Sawe triumphs on debut

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PARIS - Dutch marathon runner Sifan Hassan and Botswanan sprinter Letsile Tebogo, who both struck gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, were named the women's and men's Athlete of the Year respectively by governing body World Athletics in Monaco on Dec 1.

Hassan, who also won the women's out-of-stadium award, was rewarded for her incredible performance in the French capital, where she also excelled on the track.

In the space of seven days, she won bronze medals in the 5,000m, having also run a heat, and the 10,000m, and a spectacular gold in the marathon where she outsprinted Ethiopia's then world record holder Tigst Assefa to win by just three seconds.

"I never thought I was going to win this one," said Hassan, 31, after receiving her award in Monaco.

"This year was crazy. It's not only me - all the athletes have been amazing."

Tebogo, 21, received his award after becoming the first African to be crowned Olympic champion in the 200m, crossing the line at the Stade de France in 19.46 seconds, edging out Americans Kenny Bednarek and the favourite Noah Lyles.