Ruth Chepng’etich makes World Athletics Awards final shortlist

By Peter Ochieng

Only one Kenyan has made the final shortlist of the 2024 World Athletics Awards, ahead of the awards gala on December 01, 2024.

Ruth Chepng’etich, the world women's marathon record holder has made the final shortlist, alongside several formidable athletes from around the globe.

1,500m specialist and record holder Faith Kipyegon is perhaps one of the prominent athletes not to have made it to the exclusive club.

Chepng’etich will battle Olympic marathon champion Sifa Hassan, in the women’s out of stadium athlete of the year category, besides vying for the World athlete of the year gong.

According to World Athletics, the top two leading athletes in each category – track, field and out of stadium – were chosen from the first round of voting, which comprised votes from the World Athletics Council, World Athletics family and a public vote on social media.

In a new addition to this year’s awards, a final round of voting – cast by fans of the sport – will take place between 4-10 November to decide who the overall World Athlete of the Year is.

Finalists

Women’s track athlete of the year

Julien Alfred (LCA) – Olympic 100m champion

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) – Olympic 400m hurdles champion

Men’s track athlete of the year

Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) – Olympic 5000m champion

Letsile Tebogo (BOT) – Olympic 200m champion

Women’s field athlete of the year

Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR) – Olympic high jump champion

Nafissatou Thiam (BEL) – Olympic heptathlon champion

Men’s field athlete of the year

Mondo Duplantis (SWE) – Olympic pole vault champion

Miltiadis Tentoglou (GRE) – Olympic long jump champion

Women’s out of stadium athlete of the year

Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) – world marathon record-holder

Sifan Hassan (NED) – Olympic marathon champion

Men’s out of stadium athlete of the year

Brian Pintado (ECU) – Olympic 20km race walk champion

Tamirat Tola (ETH) – Olympic marathon champion

Voting closes on Sunday 10 November. The Athletes of the Year in each category, as well as the overall winner, will be revealed at a ceremony in Monaco on Sunday 1 December.