IAAF Male Athletes of the Year Finalists

November 13th, 2009

2009 World Athlete of the Year

Five men athletes are in the run for 2009 World Athlete of the Year.

The winners of the 2009 World Athlete of the Year Awards will be announced live, on stage, during the 2009 World Athletics Gala, which will take place in Monaco, on 22 November 2009.

The five finalist for the men’s category are as follows:

Kenenisa Bekele
27 years old

Kenenisa Bekele

Became the first man ever to win a 5000/10,000m double at the World Championships
Has set a Championship record 26:46.31 in the longer event in Berlin
Has won his third share of the ÅF Golden League Jackpot
Has set the fastest times in the world this year at 5000 and 10,000m
Remained undefeated at 3000, 5000 and 10,000m through 2009

Usain Bolt
23 years old

Usain Bolt

Won three gold medals at the 100,200 and 4×100m at the Berlin World Championships
Set two World records 9.58 at 100m and 19.19 at 200m in Berlin
Won the World Athletics Final 200m in a competition record 19.68
Has run 5 times under 9.90 and 3 times under 19.60
Remained undefeated in finals at 100, 200 and 400m throughout 2009

Tyson Gay
27 years old

Tyson Gay

Won the 100m silver medal at the Berlin World Championships
Has become the second fastest 100m runner of all time at 9.69
Has improved the American record three times and run 6 times under 9.95
Won the World Athletics Final 100m in 9.88
Has become the third fastest 200m of all-time at 19.58

Steve Hooker
27 years old

Steve Hooker

Won the Berlin World Championships Pole Vault through injury taking only 2 jumps
Has become the second highest pole vaulter of all-time with a 6.06 indoor clearance
Has cleared the highest bar in 16 years
Has jumped 3 times over 6 metres (indoors)
Has won 8 out of 10 competitions (indoors and outdoors) in 2009

Andreas Thorkildsen
27 years old