Noah Lyles, Faith Kipyegon named track athletes of the year
PARIS, France, (AFP) – American Noah Lyles and Faith Kipyegon of Kenya were named track athletes of the year, World Athletics announced in Monaco on Monday.
Lyles was recognised for the three gold medals he won at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary this year.
Sweden’s Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis won the global governing body’s men’s field athlete of the year award after he improved his world records in both the indoor and outdoor pole vault.
Kipyegon clinched the women’s track prize after securing three world records in middle and long distance running.
Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas took the women’s field award after winning her fourth world outdoor triple jump title.
“The depth of talent and the outstanding performances in our sport this year more than justify the expansion of the World Athletics Awards to recognise the accomplishments by these six athletes across a range of disciplines,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
“Our World Athletes of the Year alone have achieved seven world records between them in 2023, as well as a host of world titles and major wins, so it is only fitting that they be recognised as the athletes of the year in their respective fields,” he added. World Athletes of the Year for 2023:
Women’s track: Faith Kipyegon (KEN)
Women’s field: Yulimar Rojas (VEN)
Women’s out of stadia: Tigist Assefa (ETH)
Men’s track: Noah Lyles (USA)
Men’s field: Armand “Mondo” Duplantis (SWE)
Men’s out of stadia: Kelvin Kiptum (KEN)