IAAF Lists 5 Men For Athlete Of The Year Choice
By IAAF
Posted Tuesday, 10 November, 2009
Monte-Carlo – With no fewer than 10 senior World records established on track, roads and indoors 2009 has been a year of success for athletics not only in terms of performances but also in terms of participation, audience and drama.
The 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin proved how great a spectacle athletics can be and also highlighted how charismatic athletes can transcend our sport.
After successful editions of World Athletics Series competitions in Jordan (World Cross), Italy (World Youths), Greece (World Athletics Final) and United Kingdom (World Half Marathon) and Berlin as well as all of the various IAAF 1-day competition circuits, the IAAF has conducted a three-week poll with members of the Athletics Family worldwide, in order to select the final candidates for athletics’ top award.
We now have the pleasure to announce the names of the five male athletes who have been shortlisted for the 2009 World Athlete of the Year.
Male Finalists are: (in alphabetical order)
Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia
Usain Bolt, Jamaica
Tyson Gay, USA
Steven Hooker, Australia
Andreas Thorkildsen, Norway
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 IAAF Family votes opened on Monday 19 October, following the conclusion of the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, and closed on Sunday 8 November at midnight CET.
The IAAF Family vote consisted in a list of 1799 recipients including IAAF & IAF Council Members, IAAF Member Federations, IAAF Committee & Commission Members, IAAF Meeting Directors, IAAF Ambassadors, Leading Athletes, Athletes’ Representatives, IAAF Staff Members and selected members of the International Press.
Facebook 
Twitter
i