Three finalists for the Photograph of the Year award have been selected ahead of the World Athletics Awards 2026.&nbsp;
From the 146 images that were submitted, a panel of judges &ndash; comprising sprint superstar Usain Bolt, multiple global medallist Dawn Harper-Nelson, photographer and Paris 2024 photo chief Pascal Rondeau, athletics photographer and filmmaker Dan Vernon, and World Athletics digital creative manager Christel El Saneh &ndash; narrowed the entries to 10 shortlisted images before deciding on the three finalists.&nbsp;
A fan vote will be held on World Athletics&rsquo; social media channels from 9-15 November to help determine the winner.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Photographers from 64 countries across all six continental areas submitted entries.&nbsp;
The shortlisted images will form part of a digital exhibition on the World Athletics website that will go live later this month.&nbsp;
The winning photograph will be announced on World Athletics&rsquo; platforms as part of the World Athletics Awards 2026.&nbsp;
<h2>The finalists</h2>
<h3>Tom Jenkins&nbsp;</h3>
&lsquo;Men's 4x100m finish silhouette&rsquo;&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6af1b5165c72a8adc7b36e5e.jpg" alt="Men's 4x100m finish silhouette" />
<div>
The finish of the men&rsquo;s 4x100m relay final during the athletics competition at the Scotstoun Stadium on day nine of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
</div>
</div>
<h3>Ga&euml;lle Mobuchon&nbsp;</h3>
&lsquo;Chasing light&rsquo;&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6af1b4e05c72a8adc7b36e5b.jpg" alt="Chasing Light" />
<div>
Rai Benjamin of USA competes in the men's 400m final at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary.
</div>
</div>
<h3>Victor Seco Mu&ntilde;oz&nbsp;</h3>
&lsquo;Your medal amidst water droplets&rsquo;&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6af1b5355c72a8adc7b36e61.jpg" alt="Your medal amidst water droplets" />
<div>
The 3000m steeplechase final at the European Championships in Birmingham. The German athlete dominated the entire race but had the misfortune of stumbling at the final water jump. You can see her sense of helplessness as the victory &ndash; or a medal &ndash; slips away. It is a magical moment captured in the photograph, yet a truly difficult one for the athlete.
</div>
</div>
<h2>About the photographers&nbsp;</h2>
Tom Jenkins (GBR) Tom Jenkins has been a professional sports photographer in the UK since 1989. He has worked for the Guardian since 1990, covering sport both nationally and internationally.&nbsp;
Ga&euml;lle Mobuchon (FRA) Ga&euml;lle Mobuchon has been a freelance photographer since 2022, specialising in sports photography, particularly athletics. Beyond movement and performance, her aim is to tell a story through photography, capturing the person behind the athlete, their emotions and the moments that make sport so special. She strives to bring creativity and a personal perspective to every image.&nbsp;
Victor Seco Mu&ntilde;oz (ESP) Victor Seco Mu&ntilde;oz is a photographer specialising in sports, primarily athletics. His professional career began in 2019 and he currently works with major championships, magazines, sports brands and individual athletes. A former 1500m runner, now he strives to capture the perfect moment to be remembered.&nbsp;

Three finalists have been selected for the Photograph of the Year award

Finalists announced for 2026 World Athletics Photograph of the Year 

World Athletics is pleased to announce the three finalists for the International Fair Play Award, celebrated as part of the World Athletics Awards 2026.
Earlier this year, the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP), in partnership with World Athletics, again invited fans across the world to nominate moments that epitomise fair play with a view to recognising one standout athlete or moment.
A jury was empanelled to review the nominations and fans can now cast their votes through the World Athletics social media channels for the shortlisted moment that they feel best exemplifies fair play. The fan vote will close on 16 November, and these votes will be combined with votes from the jury members to decide the overall winner. The winner will be announced ahead of the World Athletics Awards taking place on Sunday 29 November.
<h2>Finalists</h2>
<h3>Irine Cheptai</h3>
Kenya&rsquo;s Irine Cheptai showed exceptional sportsmanship during the Sydney Marathon by sharing water with Australian Paralympic athlete Michael Roeger.
Born without his lower right arm, Roeger missed four drink stations because the tables and bottles were positioned on the right-hand side of the course. At around the 30km mark, Cheptai did not hesitate to offer him her drink to help him continue.
Roeger went on to finish in 2:18:36, breaking his own T46 marathon world record. Cheptai&rsquo;s spontaneous act was a powerful example of empathy, inclusion and solidarity in sport.
<iframe title="Irine Cheptai" src="https://youtube.com/embed/4jTHFM9m7vM" width="315" height="560" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>Mondo Duplantis and Emmanouil Karalis</h3>
Pole vault stars Mondo Duplantis and Emmanouil Karalis were nominated for the way they combine fierce competition with genuine friendship and mutual respect.
Their relationship was particularly evident at the Zurich Diamond League meeting, where they respectively cleared an outdoor world lead of 6.25m and a Greek record of 6.20m. Despite competing at the highest level and pushing each other to new heights, they demonstrated that ambition and rivalry do not have to come at the expense of camaraderie.
Together, they offer an inspiring example of how athletes can challenge one another, celebrate each other's achievements, and strengthen the spirit of the sport.
<iframe title="Mondo Duplantis and Emmanouil Karalis" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Jxz_PClSf48" width="315" height="560" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>'Superstar' Boston runners</h3>
After almost three hours on their feet and with the finish line in sight, two runners sacrificed personal bests to come to the rescue of an exhausted competitor at the Boston Marathon.
Aaron Beggs was the first to stop to pull Ajay Haridasse up off the ground after he fell and could not get up. With Haridasse still struggling to stay on his feet, another runner, Robson De Oliveira, stepped in and the pair put their arms around Haridasse to help him across the line. 
Beggs is a member of North Down Athletic Club in Northern Ireland, which hailed him as a "superstar" who "couldn't pass an athlete in distress".
"What a gentleman! What a phenomenal sportsman. Our Aaron Beggs," the club said on social media.
<iframe title="Superstar Boston runners" src="https://youtube.com/embed/JULuEC3TLnc" width="315" height="560" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
The CIFP is an IOC-recognised organisation founded in 1963 by UNESCO and leading international sports governing bodies. For more than 60 years, the CIFP has served as the global guardian of sporting ethics, honouring those who prioritise integrity and the human spirit over victory at any cost. Most recently, the UN designated 19 May as World Fair Play Day. Through its prestigious World Fair Play Awards and global educational initiatives, the CIFP ensures that the fundamental values of sport &ndash; respect, friendship, and fair play &ndash; are preserved for future generations. CIFP&rsquo;s first collaboration with World Athletics dates back to the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris. Thirteen awards have been handed out since then. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.fairplayinternational.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.fairplayinternational.org</a>.
<h3>Jury members</h3>
Valerie Adams &ndash; World Athletics Athletes&rsquo; Commission Chair Sally Pearson &ndash; Olympic and world 100m hurdles gold medallist Paula Radcliffe &ndash; Former world marathon record-holder Jon Ridgeon &ndash; World Athletics CEO Sunil Sabharwal &ndash; International Fair Play Committee President Tim Van de Velde &ndash; 2025 Fair Play Award winner
World Athletics

World Athletics is pleased to announce the three finalists for the International Fair Play Award, celebrated as part of the World Athletics Awards 2026.

Finalists announced for 2026 Fair Play Award

The three finalists have been announced for the new-look Coach of the Year award that will form part of the World Athletics Awards on Sunday 29 November.&nbsp;
Felipe de Siqueira, Rolando &lsquo;Lonnie&rsquo; Greene and Ken Harnden are all in the running for the honour that shines a spotlight on those who play a vital role in guiding athletes in the sport.&nbsp;
The finalists:&nbsp;
<h2>Felipe de Siqueira &ndash; Brazil&nbsp;</h2>
Long-time coach of Alison dos Santos, the two-time Olympic medallist who set a 45.80 world record in the 400m hurdles and won at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in 2026. De Siqueira&rsquo;s nomination recognises the long-term development of Dos Santos from emerging talent to world record-holder.&nbsp;
<h2>Rolando &lsquo;Lonnie&rsquo; Greene &ndash; Bahamas&nbsp;</h2>
Coach of Masai Russell and Devynne Charlton. In 2026, Russell set a world 100m hurdles record of 12.09 and won the Ultimate title, while Charlton equalled her 7.65 world indoor record when winning the world indoor 60m hurdles title. Greene&rsquo;s nomination recognises both outstanding performances and the depth of his elite hurdles programme.&nbsp;
<h2>Ken Harnden &ndash; Zimbabwe&nbsp;</h2>
Coach of Ja&rsquo;Kobe Tharp, who at only 20 years of age set a 12.75 world record in the 110m hurdles and then won the Ultimate title in 2026. Harnden&rsquo;s nomination recognises Tharp&rsquo;s progression within the Auburn programme from world U20 champion to senior world record-holder.&nbsp;
The Coach of the Year honour builds on the previous World Athletics Coaching Achievement Award.&nbsp;
Members of the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/organisation/our-organisation/structure/commissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coaches&rsquo; Commission</a>, which was established at the end of 2025, decided on the long list of nominees as part of the revamped voting system. Area coaches&rsquo; associations, or alternative nominated bodies in areas where a coaches&rsquo; association is not established, then voted by ranking the nominees to ensure full voting representation across all six areas to decide on the three finalists and one winner.&nbsp;
The winner will be announced live on stage during the World Athletics Awards.&nbsp;
Other awards presented on stage will include the World Athlete of the Year and Rising Star honours, the President&rsquo;s Award and, for the first time, the Moment of the Year award.&nbsp;

The three finalists have been announced for the 2026 Coach of the Year award

Finalists announced for 2026 Coach of the Year award 

The three finalists for the new Moment of the Year honour have been confirmed ahead of the World Athletics Awards in Monaco on 29 November.
The Moment of the Year award has been introduced to celebrate the most memorable occasion of the season &ndash; one that may transcend a single performance and generate emotion and inspiration among fans and spectators around the world.
Finalists for the inaugural Moment of the Year award:
&bull; Botswana&rsquo;s men&rsquo;s 4x400m win on home soil at the World Athletics Relays
&bull; Josh Kerr&rsquo;s world mile record of 3:42.66 in London
&bull; Sabastian Sawe breaking two hours with a 1:59:30 world marathon record in London
The finalists were decided following a fan vote via the official World Athletics app.
The winner will be announced live on stage during the World Athletics Awards in Monaco.
Other awards presented on stage will include the women&rsquo;s and men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year and Rising Star honours, Coach of the Year and the President&rsquo;s Award.
World Athletics

The Moment of the Year award has been introduced to celebrate the most memorable occasion of the season – one that may transcend a single performance and generate emotion and inspiration among fans and spectators around the world.

Finalists announced for 2026 Moment of the Year

Meet the stars of athletics, experience the excitement of the Awards and enjoy an unforgettable weekend in Monaco - with a guest of your choice!
Ever dreamed of meeting the world&rsquo;s greatest athletes? Here&rsquo;s your chance to get closer to the action! Enter our competition for the opportunity to win a VIP trip for two to the World Athletics Awards 2026, taking place in Monaco.
<h2>What could you win?</h2>
One lucky winner and their chosen guest will enjoy an incredible VIP experience, including:
&middot; Return flights from your preferred airport
&middot; Three nights&rsquo; accommodation in Monaco
&middot; Exclusive access to the World Athletics Awards ceremony
&middot; The chance to meet some of the biggest names in athletics
From celebrating the stars of the sport to soaking up the atmosphere of one of athletics&rsquo; biggest nights, this is a weekend you won&rsquo;t want to miss!
<h2>How to enter</h2>
It&rsquo;s simple!
1. <a href="https://appy.to/mtd4j" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Download the World Athletics App</a>.
2. Head to the Awards section.
3. Answer a simple question for your chance to win!
<h3>Want an extra chance to win?</h3>
You can earn one bonus entry by tagging two friends in the official World Athletics competition announcement published on Facebook, Instagram or X.
To claim your bonus entry:
1. Find the official competition post.
2. Tag two friends in a comment.
This step is optional. Your handle will be used for verification only and will not be stored. Tags must be to eligible individual accounts; tags to companies, organisations, government accounts or other unsuitable accounts will not be accepted.
<h2>Important dates</h2>
&middot; Competition opens: 22 October 2026
&middot; Competition closes: 9 November 2026 at 5:00 pm CEST
&middot; Eligible travel dates: 27 November &ndash; 30 November 2026, inclusive
The winner will be selected at random from valid entries that meet the eligibility requirements and confirm availability to travel within the specified dates.
<h2>Ready for your VIP athletics experience?</h2>
Don&rsquo;t miss your chance to celebrate the world&rsquo;s best athletes in style. Enter now and you could be heading to Monaco for an unforgettable weekend at the World Athletics Awards 2026!
<a href="https://appy.to/mtd4j" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ENTER NOW</a>
For full details, please read the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/terms-and-conditions#competitions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics prize competition terms &amp; conditions</a>.

Meet the stars of athletics, experience the excitement of the Awards and enjoy an unforgettable weekend in Monaco - with a guest of your choice!

Win a VIP weekend at the World Athletics Awards 2026 in Monaco!

<h3>Fans have full voting power to decide the award shortlist via the World Athletics app, before expert panel picks the winner&nbsp;</h3>
 The 18 nominees for the new Moment of the Year honour have been confirmed and the fan vote is now open to decide the shortlist from which a World Athletics expert panel will confirm the inaugural winner &ndash; to be announced as part of the World Athletics Awards in Monaco on 29 November.&nbsp;
The Moment of the Year award has been introduced to celebrate the most memorable occasion of the season &ndash; one that may transcend a single performance and generate emotion and inspiration among fans and spectators around the world.&nbsp; 
<h3>Long list of nominees for the 2026 Moment of the Year:</h3>
&bull; Tigst Assefa&rsquo;s women-only world marathon record of 2:15:41 in London&nbsp;
&bull; Botswana&rsquo;s men&rsquo;s 4x400m win on home soil at the World Athletics Relays&nbsp;
&bull; Alison dos Santos&rsquo; world 400m hurdles record of 45.80 in Zurich&nbsp;
&bull; The pole vault duel between Mondo Duplantis (6.25m) and Emmanouil Karalis (6.20m) in Zurich &nbsp;
&bull; Simon Ehammer&rsquo;s world heptathlon record of 6670 for world indoor gold in Toruń&nbsp;
&bull; Keely Hodgkinson&rsquo;s world 800m short track record of 1:54.87 in Li&eacute;vin&nbsp;
&bull; Jakob Ingebrigtsen&rsquo;s return after injury to win the European 5000m title&nbsp;
&bull; Melissa Jefferson-Wooden's Ultimate Championship sprint double &nbsp;
&bull; Yomif Kejelcha&rsquo;s world half marathon record of 56:51 in Buenos Aires&nbsp;
&bull; Josh Kerr&rsquo;s world mile record of 3:42.66 in London&nbsp;
&bull; Agnes Ngetich&rsquo;s women-only world record of 1:05:15 for world half marathon gold&nbsp;
&bull; Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage&rsquo;s last-round 91.09m to win the Ultimate javelin title&nbsp;
&bull; Masai Russell&rsquo;s world 100m hurdles record of 12.09 in Zurich&nbsp;
&bull; Sabastian Sawe breaking two hours with a 1:59:30 world marathon record in London&nbsp;
&bull; Gianmarco Tamberi's world high jump lead of 2.37m to win the Ultimate title&nbsp;
&bull; Ja'Kobe vTharp&rsquo;s world 110m hurdles record of 12.75 in the NCAA semifinals&nbsp;
&bull; Audrey Werro&rsquo;s 1:53.70 800m &ndash; the third-fastest time in history &nbsp;
&bull; Yan Ziyi&rsquo;s world U20 javelin record of 71.74m &ndash; the second-farthest throw in history&nbsp;
 Fans can vote on their moment of the year via the official World Athletics app, which launched ahead of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in September.&nbsp;
<a href="https://appy.to/oogoe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Available on iOS and Android</a>, the app brings the latest content, games, rewards, live results, performance data and more together in one personalised experience. The dedicated Awards tab, accessible from the app home page, is where fans can go to vote for their moment of the year and relive many of the highlights from the season.&nbsp;
The Moment of the Year fan vote will close on 26 October and the finalists will be announced on 3 November. The World Athletics expert panel will then decide on the winner from that fan-voted shortlist.&nbsp;
The winner will be announced live on stage during the World Athletics Awards taking place in Monaco on 29 November.&nbsp;
Other awards presented on stage will include the women&rsquo;s and men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year and Rising Star honours, Coach of the Year and the President&rsquo;s Award.&nbsp;

Fans have full voting power to decide the award shortlist via the World Athletics app, before expert panel picks the winner 

Nominees announced for new fan-powered Moment of the Year 

An award for the best athletics photograph of the year will once again be presented as part of the World Athletics Awards in 2026.&nbsp;
Any professional photographer who has attended an athletics event in 2026 can take part in the World Athletics Photograph of the Year.&nbsp;
Photographers are requested to <a href="https://site.picter.com/2026-wa-photo-of-the-year-award" target="_blank" rel="noopener">submit one photograph via the online form</a> and include a caption, the date the photograph was taken, the image's technical information and a short photographer bio (no more than 50 words). Entries should be no larger than 5MB and must be received by 11:59pm Monaco time on 30 October.&nbsp;
A panel of five experts will judge all eligible photographs and select three finalists. The finalists will be revealed on 9 November and a fan vote to help determine the winner will be held on World Athletics&rsquo; social media channels&nbsp;from 9-15 November.&nbsp;
The winner will be announced on 28 November, ahead of the World Athletics Awards taking place in Monaco on 29 November.&nbsp;
&bull; <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/6ace5c50093817b4f66ed77a.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full contest rules&nbsp;</a>
&nbsp;
The panellists are:&nbsp;
Usain Bolt Jamaican sprint superstar Bolt has been the subject of some of the most iconic photographs in athletics. The fastest man of all time, he set his world 100m and 200m records of 9.58 and 19.19 during the 2009 World Championships in Berlin to win two of the 19 senior global titles he claimed throughout his sensational sprinting career. He retired in 2017 but remains involved in the sport, most recently through his role as Ultimate Legend for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. 
Christel El Saneh El Saneh is the digital creative manager at World Athletics, managing photography and visual content across digital platforms. She joined World Athletics in 2021 and covered the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a photographer. The long jumper has spent most of her life in athletics and her journey has included forming part of the IOC Young Leader and Young Reporters programmes.
Dawn Harper-Nelson During her highly successful athletics career, Harper-Nelson won four global medals in the 100m hurdles, including the Olympic title in Beijing in 2008. She also secured Olympic silver in 2012, as well as world silver in 2017 and world bronze in 2011. She is now an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, speaker and recently served as the infield host for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.
Pascal Rondeau Rondeau started his sports photography career in London for the prestigious Allsport photography agency. He then led the photo department of L&rsquo;Equipe newspaper in Paris. Over the past 30 years, he has covered eight Summer Olympic Games and a range of other major sports events. He was appointed Venue Photo Manager at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Photo Chief at Paris 2024. 
Dan Vernon Vernon has been an athletics photographer and filmmaker for more than a decade, capturing many of the most iconic moments in the sport. He creates athlete documentaries and has covered two Olympic Games and numerous major athletics championships and one-day meetings, frequently capturing the action for World Athletics channels. He has documented the careers of athletes including marathon great Eliud Kipchoge.

An award for the best athletics photograph of the year will once again be presented as part of the World Athletics Awards in 2026. 

Best photographs of 2026 to be showcased as part of World Athletics Awards

The 20 nominees for the World Athlete of the Year honours have been announced ahead of the World Athletics Awards taking place in Monaco on 29 November.
The nominees &ndash; selected by an international panel of athletics experts &ndash; include 10 for Women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year and 10 for Men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year.
In what has been another sensational year for the sport, the nominations reflect some of the standout performances achieved at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship and World Athletics Series events held throughout the year, as well as during various one-day meeting circuits, Label road races and other events around the world. 
Nominees for 2026 Women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year (in alphabetical order):
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/ethiopia/tigst-assefa-14388506" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tigst Assefa, Ethiopia</a> &bull; Won the Berlin Marathon in 2:11:04, the third-fastest time in history &bull; Won the London Marathon in a women-only world record of 2:15:41
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/chase-jackson-14533525" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chase Jackson, USA</a> &bull; Twice improved the North American shot put record, to 21.02m and 21.14m &bull; Won the world indoor title and set a Diamond League record to regain the Diamond Trophy
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/melissa-jefferson-wooden-14756997" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, USA</a> &bull; Won a sprint double at the Ultimate Championship &bull; Set world leads of 10.62 in the 100m and 21.47 in the 200m, the latter putting her third on the world all-time list
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/kenya/agnes-jebet-ngetich-14758189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agnes Ngetich, Kenya</a> &bull; Won the world half marathon title by 50 seconds in a women-only world record of 1:05:15 and won the world cross-country title by 42 seconds &bull; Ran world leads of 8:08.95 for 3000m and 28:58 for 10km
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/dominican-republic/marileidy-paulino-14749613" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marileidy Paulino, Dominican Republic</a> &bull; Won the Ultimate 400m title and regained the Diamond League title &bull; Set a world lead and Diamond League record of 48.48 and remained unbeaten, running under 49 seconds in eight races
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/spain/maria-perez-14470735" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mar&iacute;a P&eacute;rez, Spain</a> &bull; Set an inaugural world half marathon race walk record of 1:30:06 &bull; Won the European title by 58 seconds with that world record performance
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/canada/camryn-rogers-14607142" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Camryn Rogers, Canada</a> &bull; Improved her own North American hammer record with 81.13m, strengthening her place at second on the world all-time list &bull; Achieved the five best performances in the world and retained the Commonwealth Games title
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/masai-russell-14659011" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Masai Russell, USA</a> &bull; Set a world 100m hurdles record of 12.09 and achieved nine of the 10 fastest times of the season &bull; Won Ultimate and Diamond League titles as part of an unbeaten season in the 100m hurdles
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/switzerland/audrey-werro-14856078" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audrey Werro, Switzerland</a> &bull; Won Ultimate, Diamond League and European 800m titles &bull; Broke the Diamond League record three times, improving to a world lead of 1:53.70 &ndash; putting her third on the world all-time list
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/pr-of-china/ziyi-yan-15144603" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yan Ziyi, China</a> &bull; Threw 71.74m on her season opener, an Asian and world U20 record that puts her second on the world javelin all-time list &bull; Won Diamond League and Asian Games titles 
Nominees for 2026 Men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year (in alphabetical order):
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/kenneth-bednarek-14715244" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenneth Bednarek, USA</a> &bull; Achieved a sprint double at the Ultimate Championship, winning the 100m in 9.85 and 200m in a world-leading PB of 19.52 &bull; Won the Diamond League 200m title in 19.62
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/slovenia/kristjan-ceh-14666860" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristjan Čeh, Slovenia</a> &bull; Won the Diamond League discus title with a Memorial van Damme meeting record of 71.29m &bull; Retained the European title with a championship record of 72.51m
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/italy/andy-diaz-hernandez-14587743" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andy D&iacute;az Hern&aacute;ndez, Italy</a> &bull; Won world indoor, Diamond League and European triple jump titles &bull; Jumped 18.15m to move to fourth on the world all-time list
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/brazil/alison-dos-santos-14755064" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alison dos Santos, Brazil</a> &bull; Set a world 400m hurdles record of 45.80 and won the Ultimate title in 45.98, the third-fastest time in history &bull; Went undefeated in 11 hurdles races, including the Diamond League Final
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/sweden/armand-duplantis-14679502" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mondo Duplantis, Sweden</a> &bull; Improved his world pole vault record to 6.31m &bull; Won Ultimate, world indoor and European titles
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/botswana/busang-collen-kebinatshipi-14935809" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Collen Kebinatshipi, Botswana</a> &bull; Won the Ultimate 400m title in 43.39, putting him fifth on the world all-time list &bull; Won the Diamond League title and improved the Diamond League record three times, to a best of 43.40 &ndash; one of his six sub-44.00 races, a record for a single season
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/great-britain-ni/josh-kerr-14533464" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Josh Kerr, Great Britain &amp; NI</a> &bull; Set a world mile record of 3:42.66, achieving a world lead of 3:27.62 for his 1500m split &bull; Won Ultimate 1500m, world indoor 3000m, and Commonwealth Games mile titles
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/sri-lanka/rumesh-tharanga-pathirage-14886862" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, Sri Lanka</a> &bull; Won Ultimate, Diamond League, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games javelin titles &bull; Set a world-leading national record of 92.62m and won 13 of his 14 competitions
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/kenya/sabastian-kimaru-sawe-14833335" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sabastian Sawe, Kenya</a> &bull; Won the London Marathon in a world record of 1:59:30 &bull; Became the first man to break two hours in a record-eligible marathon
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/jakobe-tharp-15129238" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ja&rsquo;Kobe Tharp, USA</a> &bull; Set a world 110m hurdles record of 12.75 at the NCAA Championships &bull; Won Ultimate and Diamond League titles and broke 13 seconds in six races 
An eight-strong panel of statisticians &ndash; two members from World Athletics and one from each of the six area associations &ndash; selected the nominees. A four-way vote, which closes on Saturday 17 October at midnight CEST, will now determine their final ranking, from first to 10th.
Each of the four voting groups will contribute 25% of the final vote:
&bull; World Athletics fans <a href="https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/W9SWJLC" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voting by survey</a>
&bull; Athletes who have competed at World Athletics Series events during 2026
&bull; Members of the media including TV and radio commentators, written press journalists and content creators who have been accredited at World Athletics Series events in 2026
&bull; World Athletics Family including Council members; commission members; athlete representatives; World Athletics Series event local organising committee chairs; Diamond League, World Indoor Tour Gold and Continental Tour Gold meeting directors; member federation presidents; official partners; and World Athletics staff
The six finalists &ndash; three for the women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year award and three for the men&rsquo;s &ndash; will be announced on 10 and 11 November and be invited to Monaco for the World Athletics Awards on 29 November, when each winner will be announced live on stage.
Other awards presented on stage will include the men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s Rising Star honours, Coach of the Year, the President&rsquo;s Award and, for the first time, the Moment of the Year award.

World Athletics

The 20 nominees for the World Athlete of the Year honours have been announced ahead of the World Athletics Awards taking place in Monaco on 29 November.

Nominees announced for World Athlete of the Year 2026

To mark Global Coaches Day (25), World Athletics has announced a new-look Coach of the Year award that will form part of the World Athletics Awards on 29 November.
Continuing its recognition of and support for athletics coaches around the globe, World Athletics will employ the expertise of its new Coaches&rsquo; Commission to shine the spotlight on those who play a vital role in guiding athletes in the sport.
The Coach of the Year honour builds on the previous Coaching Achievement Award that in recent years has been presented to leading figures such as Helena and Greg Duplantis, Laurent Meuwly, Trevor Painter and Michael O&rsquo;Connor. Helena and Greg Duplantis were jointly recognised with the honour in 2020 for their work with their world record-breaking son Mondo, while Swiss coach Meuwly, British coach Painter and Irish combined events coach O&rsquo;Connor respectively received their awards in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Now, members of the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/organisation/our-organisation/structure/commissions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coaches&rsquo; Commission</a> &ndash; which was established at the end of 2025 &ndash; will drive a revamped voting system to decide on three finalists and one winner of the award each year.
<h3>Revamped voting system</h3>
<ul>
<li role="listitem" aria-setsize="-1">The Coaches&rsquo; Commission will select a long list of between six and eight nominees</li>
<li role="listitem" aria-setsize="-1">Area coaches&rsquo; associations, or alternative nominated bodies in areas where a coaches&rsquo; association is not established, will vote by ranking the nominees to ensure full voting representation across all six areas</li>
<li role="listitem" aria-setsize="-1">The three finalists will be announced on 16 November</li>
<li role="listitem" aria-setsize="-1">The winner will be announced live on stage during the World Athletics Awards</li>
</ul>
&ldquo;In this new award, the coaches&rsquo; community selects its ambassador of excellence,&rdquo; said Coaches&rsquo; Commission Chair Frank Dick. &ldquo;It also celebrates World Athletics&rsquo; commitment, through the new Coaches&rsquo; Commission, to reflect the highest value placed on coaches as architects of possibility in pioneering change.&rdquo;
The 2026 World Athletics Awards will take place in Monaco on 29 November. Other awards presented on stage will include the World Athlete of the Year and Rising Star honours, the President&rsquo;s Award and, for the first time, the Moment of the Year award.

World Athletics

World Athletics has announced a new-look Coach of the Year award that will form part of the World Athletics Awards on 29 November

World Athletics launches revamped Coach of the Year award

Revamped format for 2026 includes fan-voted Moment of the Year honour
 A new-look voting system for the World Athletics Awards has been unveiled ahead of the 2026 awards ceremony in Monaco on 29 November.
The World Athletics Awards will continue to centre around the prestigious World Athlete of the Year honours &ndash; awarded to one man and one woman &ndash; while the revised format will also include the introduction of the fan-voted Moment of the Year award.
The World Athlete of the Year honours will no longer include separate event group awards for track, field and out-of-stadium events. Instead, a total of 10 athletes will be nominated for each of the World Athlete of the Year awards, before a vote determines the three finalists and the winner in each of the women&rsquo;s and men&rsquo;s categories.
An eight-strong panel of statisticians &ndash; two members from World Athletics and one from each of the six area associations &ndash; will select the 10 nominees, and a four-way vote will then determine their final ranking, from first to 10th.
Each of the four voting groups will contribute 25% of the final vote:
&bull; World Athletics+ subscribers​
&bull; Athletes who have competed at World Athletics Series events during 2026​
&bull; Members of the media including TV and radio commentators, written press journalists and content creators who have been accredited at World Athletics Series events in 2026
&bull; World Athletics Family including the World Athletics President; Council members; commission members; athlete representatives; World Athletics Series event local organising committee chairs; Diamond League, World Indoor Tour Gold and Continental Tour Gold meeting directors; member federation presidents; official partners; and World Athletics staff​
The six finalists &ndash; three for the women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year award and three for the men&rsquo;s &ndash; will be invited to Monaco for the World Athletics Awards on 29 November, when each winner will be announced live on stage.
Other awards presented on stage will include the men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s Rising Star honours, Coach of the Year, the President&rsquo;s Award and the new Moment of the Year award.
Voted for entirely by fans via World Athletics social media channels, the Moment of the Year award has been introduced to celebrate the most memorable occasion of the season &ndash; one that may transcend a single performance and generate emotion and inspiration among fans and spectators around the world.
World Athletics

Revamped format for 2026 includes fan-voted Moment of the Year honour

New voting system unveiled for World Athletics Awards

The International Fair Play Committee (CIFP), in partnership with World Athletics, is again inviting fans across the world to nominate moments that epitomise fair play with a view to recognising one standout athlete or moment at the World Athletics Awards later this year.
Launching ahead of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26 taking place from 20-22 March, the nominations period includes all World Athletics Series events and the Ultimate Championship as well as Wanda Diamond League and World Athletics Continental Tour meetings throughout 2026.
A jury has been empanelled to review the nominations and select the three finalists.
<h3>Jury members</h3>
Valerie Adams &ndash; World Athletics Athletes&rsquo; Commission Chair Sally Pearson &ndash; Olympic and world 100m hurdles gold medallist Paula Radcliffe &ndash; former world marathon record-holder Jon Ridgeon &ndash; World Athletics CEO Sunil Sabharwal &ndash; International Fair Play Committee President Tim Van de Velde &ndash; 2025 Fair Play Award winner
Fans will then cast their votes through the World Athletics social media channels for the moment that they feel best exemplifies fair play. These votes will be combined with the votes from the jury to determine the winner of the Fair Play Award. The winner will be revealed at the World Athletics Awards later in the year.
To nominate an athlete or moment for the Fair Play Award, please email <a href="mailto:fairplayaward@worldathletics.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fairplayaward@worldathletics.org</a>.
Tim Van de Velde was the recipient of last year&rsquo;s award, following his selfless act to help another athlete during the 3000m steeplechase heats at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. Carlos San Martin was injured during a fall earlier in their heat and, as they approached the finish line, Van de Velde decided to turn back to help San Martin to cross the finish line &ndash; fully aware that it might lead to his disqualification.
<h3>About CIFP</h3>
The International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) is an IOC-recognised organisation founded in 1963 by UNESCO and leading international sports governing bodies. For more than 60 years, the CIFP has served as the global guardian of sporting ethics, honouring those who prioritise integrity and the human spirit over victory at any cost. Through its prestigious World Fair Play Awards and global educational initiatives, the CIFP ensures that the fundamental values of sport &ndash; respect, friendship, and fair play &ndash; are preserved for future generations. CIFP&rsquo;s first collaboration with World Athletics dates back to the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris. Thirteen awards have been handed out since then. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.fairplayinternational.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.fairplayinternational.org</a>.
World Athletics

The nominations period includes all World Athletics Series events and Continental Tour events throughout the course of the year

World Athletics and CIFP invite fans to nominate fair play moments for 2026

At just 18 years of age, world hammer bronze medallist Zhang Jiale has already announced herself as one of the most exciting talents in the sport.
That status was underlined recently when she was named the World Athletics Rising Star Award winner &ndash; recognition that reflects not only a remarkable season, but the promise of what may still lie ahead.
Born in Zibo, in China&rsquo;s Shandong province, Zhang&rsquo;s rise has been both rapid and historic. But hammer throwing was not always part of the plan.
&ldquo;Before I started in athletics, I didn&rsquo;t even know what the hammer throw was,&rdquo; she admits. &ldquo;Most people are familiar with shot put, discus, or javelin, but hammer throw is less well known.&rdquo;
Zhang&rsquo;s introduction to the event came through her first coach, who saw something in her physical attributes &ndash; and perhaps something more.
&ldquo;My first coach chose this event for me based on my physical traits, but also because he felt it was my destiny or my fate.&rdquo;
That sense of destiny has since deepened under the guidance of Ye Kuigang, the coach behind an extraordinary lineage of Chinese hammer throwers. Zhang is the latest in a select group of Asian women to surpass 77 metres, joining Wang Zheng, Zhao Jie, Zhang Wenxiu and Zhang Jie. All were coached by Ye; all have won global medals; and together they have amassed 14 podium finishes at senior World Championships and Olympic Games.
Ye, himself a former international hammer thrower, two-time National Games champion and 2000 Asian silver medallist, has also overseen an exceptional level of sustained excellence. Four of the top 15 performers on the women&rsquo;s hammer world all-time list have emerged from his stable, placing Zhang firmly within one of the most productive coaching legacies the event has known.
Zhang&rsquo;s own rise gathered momentum in 2024. She won the Asian U20 title near the start of the season, then went on to claim the world U20 crown later that year &ndash; performances that confirmed her status as the leading hammer thrower of her generation and marked the transition from junior standout to senior contender.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6969181e3d3f3fd7bbadfc40.jpg" alt="Zhang Jiale at the World U20 Championships in Lima" />
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Zhang Jiale at the World U20 Championships in Lima (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Oscar Munoz Badilla)
</div>
</div>
Her dominance is illustrated clearly in the record books. Zhang owns the 10 longest throws ever achieved by an U20 athlete, a level of statistical separation that mirrors the way hammer legend Anita Wlodarczyk has come to define the senior event. Already, Zhang sits 15th on the senior world all-time list, an extraordinary position for a teenage athlete in a discipline that often favours older and more experienced throwers.
Zhang&rsquo;s ascent has been defined by composure as much as distance. When reflecting on her bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 &ndash; on her senior global debut &ndash; Zhang spoke candidly about managing nerves on the biggest stage.
&ldquo;I was a bit nervous in the qualifying round. It was my first time competing in front of so many passionate spectators,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;But by the final, I&rsquo;d adjusted. I told myself, &lsquo;I&rsquo;ve already made the final. Anything more is a bonus.&rsquo; So I felt much more relaxed.&rdquo;
That mindset delivered a medal &ndash; and a benchmark moment in her young career.
&ldquo;I was very surprised! Getting a bronze at my first World Championships &ndash; what a high starting point,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;But I don&rsquo;t want to put too much pressure on myself going forward. I just want to keep surpassing myself.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6969187a3d3f3fd7bbadfc43.jpg" alt="Zhang Jiale at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25" />
<div>
Zhang Jiale at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Dan Vernon)
</div>
</div>
At home, Zhang draws inspiration from those who came before her. Training alongside senior teammates such as Wang and Zhang Wenxiu has been formative.
&ldquo;Once I learned about our sport and how strong Chinese athletes are internationally, they became my role models,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;When I joined my coach&rsquo;s team and trained with them, they taught me a lot. They&rsquo;ve always been my examples to learn from.&rdquo;
She now finds herself part of a compelling domestic rivalry with compatriot Zhao Jie, her training partner and fellow world medallist. While Zhao leads their career head-to-head 21-1, the gap has narrowed significantly this year. Just half a metre separated them at the World Championships, exactly one metre at the National Games &ndash; and in Schoenebeck in June, Zhang defeated Zhao outright.
It is a rivalry that signals both depth and momentum within Chinese women&rsquo;s hammer throwing.
Looking ahead, Zhang&rsquo;s ambitions extend beyond medals already won. Competing at the World Athletics Championships Beijing 27 is a particularly vivid target.
&ldquo;Competing at home means I&rsquo;ll have more support from our own people,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s like being a kid on stage with your whole family in the audience applauding. And I love that kind of stage.&rdquo;
Ultimately, her goals are as bold as they are historic.
&ldquo;No Asian woman has ever thrown beyond 80 metres,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;China also hasn&rsquo;t yet won a World Championships or Olympic gold in the women&rsquo;s hammer. I think these are the goals for our new generation.&rdquo;
With a Rising Star award already in hand and a world U20 record to her name, Zhang Jiale may be closer than anyone before her to turning those goals into reality.
Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics

At just 18 years of age, world hammer bronze medallist Zhang Jiale has already announced herself as one of the most exciting talents in the sport.

Finalists announced for 2026 Men's Rising Star Award

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Finalists announced for Men's World Athlete of the Year 2026