There are ten more than qualified nominees each listed for the World Athletics Athlete of the year prize in both the Men's and Women's category. I have gone through each of the nominees and an say that perhaps all will be more than enough to win the grand prize on any given year. Unfortunately, only one winner will come from each category, but it is worth highlighting just how much has been accomplished this year.
There were two World championships held this year both indoors and outdoors. On both ends we saw multiple World records. However, the outdoor championships held in Eugene were particularly spectacular. Beyond the records, we also saw some people become superstars in their own right, along with some drama and surprise results that made for an entertaining championships.
Superstars in Their Own Right
If you ask me who the biggest name in Athletics is right now, I'll give you two names - Eluid Kipchoge and Mondo Duplantis . These men, generations apart from each other, have simply dominated their respective fields (Marathon and Pole Vault respectively). This year was no different as they further solidified their legendary status with additional World records and improved their already legendary status. Particularly for Duplantis, it is hard to imagine that a 22 year old kid is already perhaps the most accomplished Male Pole Vaulter of all time.
On the Women's side, Yilumar Rojas did not disappoint as she continues what has been an iron grip dominance on the Women's Triple jump scene. The Women's 400m hurdles also saw the run of Sydney McLaughlin continue as the Queen of the division, capping it with a World record performance in Eugene. So many highlights came from Eugene that the Diamond Leagues were more like competitions to just appreciate these top level athletes.
I think a lot of attention has also come to athletics as a result of these performances. We have seen a reduction in the number of doping cases that more or less tarnished the image of the sport and the Sebastian Coe led organization has tried to rebrand the sport and make it more viewer friendly and exciting. This seems to have worked to an extent, and we are perhaps seeing the benefits of having these kinds of moves for the general sport.
Athletics is still short of the kind of revival it had during the hey days of the great Usain Bolt, but sufficient progress is certainly being made in that regard. We need bonafide superstars in Athletics once again to promote an increased interest in the sport. Long story short, if we continue to have spectacular years like this one it won't be long before we get not just one, but perhaps a handful of bonafide superstars made.
Future
Next year is also going to be another World championships year, so a certainly expectant and excited at the possibilities of replicating some of the feats of this year. This then, each and every athlete than contributed to a wonderful athletic season deserves a round of applause.