The spotlight is shining brightly on six Black sprinters who have emerged as the leading contenders for the 2024 Female Track Athlete of the Year award. These exceptional athletes, hailing from across the globe, have made history and achieved remarkable feats throughout the past year, solidifying their dominance in the world of athletics.
Among the nominees, Kenyan distance runners Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon stand out after their incredible performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Chebet, in her Olympic debut, secured gold in both the 5000m and 10,000m events, becoming the first Kenyan woman to achieve an Olympic double. Her narrow victory over her compatriot, Kipyegon, in the 5000m final was a memorable moment that added to Kenya’s rich legacy in middle-distance running.
Faith Kipyegon, already a legend in her own right, continued to make her mark on the world stage. The three-time Olympic champion claimed silver in the 5000m but took gold in the 1500m, making history as the first athlete to win the 1500m at three consecutive Olympic Games. Her achievements further cement her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in the world.
Joining the Kenyan stars are two of the United States’ finest sprinters, Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Thomas had a standout year, dominating the track with gold medals in the 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m events at the Paris Olympics. With such an impressive haul, she is considered a strong favorite for the prestigious award.
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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone also left an indelible mark on the athletics world, defending her Olympic title in the 400m hurdles and breaking her own world record with a time of 50.37 seconds. Her dominance didn’t stop there, as she also earned gold in the 4x400m relay alongside Thomas, adding yet another historic performance to her growing list of accolades.
Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred also earned a well-deserved nomination after a stellar year. Alfred made history by winning gold in the women’s 100m final at the Paris Olympics with a blistering time of 10.72 seconds. This victory marked the largest margin in a women’s Olympic 100m final since 2008. Additionally, Alfred is the first athlete from Saint Lucia to reach a world championship final, and she currently holds her nation’s records in both the 100m and 200m sprints.
The final nominee is Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino, who has consistently proven herself as one of the world’s top sprinters. Paulino clinched gold in the 400m at the Paris Olympics and is the reigning Diamond League champion in the event. With 21 official medals under her belt, Paulino’s dominance in the 400m continues to inspire athletes worldwide.
All six athletes will be hoping to secure the prestigious Female Track Athlete of the Year award. The winner, however, will not only rely on their stellar performances but also on the support of their fans and nations. The World Athletics organization has opened voting for the finalists on their social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X, and voting will remain open until October 27th.
With each of these sprinters representing a unique story of perseverance, excellence, and history-making moments, the 2024 Female Track Athlete of the Year award promises to be a hotly contested and highly anticipated event in the world of athletics.
