Hassan’s extraordinary year included a gold medal in the marathon and two bronzes on the track at the Paris Olympics. She also claimed the women’s out-of-stadium award, solidifying her dominance across multiple disciplines. “This year was crazy,” said an emotional Hassan.
Tebogo made history as the first African to win Olympic gold in the 200m, finishing in 19.46 seconds at the Stade de France. The Botswanan sprinter also scooped the men’s track award. “It was a real surprise to hear my name,” he admitted.
The ceremony paid tribute to Kelvin Kiptum, last year’s men’s out-of-stadium athlete of the year and marathon world record-holder, who tragically died in February.
Other honorees included Sweden’s Armand Duplantis, who claimed the men’s field award after setting a new pole vault world record, and Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who took the women’s field award with her record-breaking high jump performance.
Ethiopian marathon champion Tamirat Tola and American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were honored alongside rising stars Sembo Almayew of Ethiopia and Mattia Furlani of Italy. The ceremony highlighted the outstanding achievements of athletes who excelled on the global stage this year.
