Spanish race walker Maria Perez completed another golden double at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, repeating the 20km and 35km race walk victories she achieved at the World Championships in Budapest two years ago.
The now four-time world gold medallist, who remained undefeated in 2025, reflects on her successful season and looks ahead to the future.
<blockquote>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a>
</blockquote>
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<h2>On winning the out of stadium athlete of the year award at the World Athletics Awards 2025:</h2>
&ldquo;A huge thank you to World Athletics and everyone who voted for this award. Winning four consecutive gold medals at the World Championships is no easy feat, so I also want to thank my team here today, especially my coach, because without them, none of this would be possible.
&ldquo;It's not just my award, but it belongs to the entire Spanish athletics community, and especially to race walking, which deserved recognition.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6937126c400620ec7543cd28.jpg" alt="Maria Perez at the World Athletics Awards 2025" />
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Maria Perez at the World Athletics Awards 2025 (&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" /> Chiara Montesano)
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<h2>On her development since 2021, when she finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics:</h2>
&ldquo;One thing that has helped me a lot, and that you all saw in Tokyo (World Championships), is that I have my idol, my rival and my friend (Italy&rsquo;s world 35km race walk silver medallist Antonella Palmisano, who won Olympic 20km race walk gold in Tokyo in 2021). One of the best things has been to keep going, working behind the scenes, so that you all can see the results &ndash; then to be able to share them with an idol, a rival, and now a friend like Antonella Palmisano. It's fundamental that one of the values of sport is camaraderie, and you don't have to be from the same country to have that camaraderie, right?&nbsp;
&ldquo;The Maria in 2021, when she was fourth (in the Olympic 20km race walk), is the same, the only thing is that she has matured athletically. Of course, I envision a podium without me (in future) &ndash; not because it is something that I wish for but because that would mean that race walk is progressing and the level is getting higher and higher.&rdquo;
<h2>On what she will cherish the most from the 2025 season:</h2>
&ldquo;It's difficult to choose. Obviously, both the 20km and the 35km will remain very close to my heart. The 35km was very hard for me. In the 35km, I had to think and save some of my legs for the upcoming event, but what I will remember is being able to share that moment with a great rival, and great friend at the same time, Antonella Palmisano.&rdquo;
<h2>On the changes to race walking distances in senior World Athletics Series events from 2026 (20km to half marathon and 35km to marathon):</h2>
&ldquo;The half marathon and marathon distances are what us race walkers would like to have because the marathon is closer to the 50km and a half marathon is closer to the 20km, so they are for different types of athletes.
&ldquo;My aim when I doubled in both Tokyo and Budapest was to prove that a 20km athlete can actually contest a 35km, it's not that complicated to do both distances, because the speed and the tempo is very similar. I want race walking and the marathon to have the respect that they deserve as the oldest events in the athletics calendar.&nbsp;
&ldquo;When I double, it's not because I want to win two medals. It's because I want to prove to the world that it doesn't make sense to have the 20km and the 35km and I want to give my race walking competitors a chance to have a distance that is fit for them.&rdquo;
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<h2>On the distance she feels she might be most competitive at:</h2>
&ldquo;I could be competitive in both, because they have done studies that have shown that physically, I can do both, and even potentially be a little bit more successful in the marathon. However, I am going to focus on the half marathon, because it is the Olympic event &ndash; I want to be competitive in LA (in 2028) and it is going to be my last Olympic cycle because after LA I would like to become a mother.&rdquo;
<h2>On whether she is targeting the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasilia 26:</h2>
&ldquo;I'm not sure yet. I've only just started training again, so we'll see. If I'm ready, I'll go, if I'm not ready, I won&rsquo;t. But I really want to thank the Spanish society for supporting me. I want to thank all of you, Spanish journalists, who have shared all the information about the World Championships and the successes of the Spanish team and myself. Right now, I want to give back &ndash; I want to do all the media events, I want to do all the events that I am asked to attend, to give something back to all the people that have supported me and shared all my successes.&nbsp;
&ldquo;My main target for next year is the European Championships in Birmingham. Antonella Palmisano is going to defend her title, so we'll see. In December, we're going to start training together. She's going to train in Italy, I'm going to train in Spain, but we are going to follow the same training programme with our individual coaches. It's an honest and good rivalry that we have, and then we'll meet again in Birmingham and see what happens.&rdquo;
<h2>On what she enjoys doing when she is not competing or training:</h2>
&ldquo;I'm a big basketball fan. I like watching basketball games in Granada. I like walking around the city, just sightseeing. And I like staying with my family because I live very far from them. Lately, one thing I have really enjoyed is playing cards with my great grandmother.&rdquo;
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Spanish race walker Maria Perez reflects on her successful season and looks ahead to the future

World out of stadium athlete of the year Maria Perez – in her words

World record-breaker, world champion, and now the 2025 World Athlete of the Year.
Swedish pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis reflects on his season and looks ahead to 2026.
<blockquote>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a>
</blockquote>
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<h2>On winning the World Athlete of the Year Award:</h2>
"Thank you so much. This is such a huge honour. Thank you to the jury and World Athletics for voting me in yet again. I hope to keep pushing it. I hope to keep irritating everyone who has to vote for me for years to come. I'm proud to represent everyone who supports me &ndash; my family and my future wife. It's really important for me to win this for the field eventers. It's very special, I'm going to really cherish this one.
"I genuinely try to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be. I have a lot of joy that I hope to spread when I'm on the track; I have an immense passion and joy for what I do. I'm so obsessed with pole vaulting and I love pushing myself. I hope that I can inspire the next generation to try athletics, and even pole vaulting. If I can inspire even just a few people to do it, then I feel I'm doing my job."
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/692ed54bff0262c83c25cbed.jpg" alt="Mondo Duplantis receives his World Athlete of the Year award in Monaco" />
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Mondo Duplantis receives his World Athlete of the Year award in Monaco (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,CiAgICA8c3ZnIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgd2lkdGg9IjE2IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE2IiB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgNDgwIDM2MCI+CiAgICAgIDxnIHRyYW5zZm9ybT0idHJhbnNsYXRlKDAsMzYwKSBzY2FsZSgwLjEsLTAuMSkiIGZpbGw9IiNCMkIyQjIiPgogICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0xOTA1IDMxODIgYy0xMjYgLTQ0IC0xODcgLTEwMCAtMjUzIC0yMzMgbC00NyAtOTQgLTM1MCAtNSBjLTMyNiAtNQogICAgICAgIC0zNTQgLTYgLTQwMSAtMjYgLTE0NyAtNjAgLTI0NiAtMTgwIC0yNzQgLTMzMSAtMTQgLTc2IC0xNCAtMTY1OSAwIC0xNzM0IDMxCiAgICAgICAgLTE2NyAxNzMgLTMxMyAzMzggLTM0OCAzNyAtOCA0NzYgLTExIDE0OTAgLTExIDE1NDMgMCAxNDgwIC0yIDE1ODggNTAgMTA0IDUxCiAgICAgICAgMjAwIDE4MSAyMjQgMzA1IDggNDMgMTAgMzAwIDggOTEwIGwtMyA4NTAgLTIzIDU2IGMtNDcgMTEyIC0xNDEgMjA2IC0yNTIgMjUyCiAgICAgICAgLTUyIDIxIC03MiAyMiAtNDA1IDI3IGwtMzUwIDUgLTQ2IDk1IGMtNTQgMTEyIC0xMDYgMTY2IC0yMDcgMjEzIGwtNjcgMzIKICAgICAgICAtNDYwIDIgYy00MTYgMyAtNDY1IDEgLTUxMCAtMTV6IG05NzIgLTIzNyBjMTggLTEzIDUyIC02OCA5MyAtMTUwIDQyIC04MyA3NQogICAgICAgIC0xMzcgOTMgLTE1MCAyNyAtMTkgNDcgLTIwIDQxNSAtMjUgNDM4IC02IDQyNyAtNCA0ODcgLTg5IGwzMCAtNDMgMyAtODM2IGMyCiAgICAgICAgLTYxMCAwIC04NDggLTggLTg3NiAtMTcgLTU2IC01NCAtMTAyIC0xMDQgLTEyNSAtNDIgLTIxIC01MSAtMjEgLTE0ODggLTIxCiAgICAgICAgbC0xNDQ1IDAgLTQ0IDIzIGMtMjkgMTYgLTU0IDQwIC03NCA3MiBsLTMwIDQ4IDAgODUxIGMwIDg0NCAwIDg1MSAyMSA4OTEgMTEKICAgICAgICAyMiA0MCA1NCA2MyA3MCBsNDMgMzAgMzg4IDUgYzM2OSA1IDM5MCA2IDQxNyAyNSAxOCAxMyA1MCA2NCA4OCAxNDEgMzMgNjcgNjcKICAgICAgICAxMjkgNzUgMTM5IDM2IDQzIDUzIDQ1IDUxMiA0MiA0MjIgLTIgNDM4IC0zIDQ2NSAtMjJ6Ii8+CiAgICAgICAgPHBhdGggZD0iTTIzMDAgMjQ1MSBjLTM4MiAtNTQgLTY3MSAtMzYzIC02OTcgLTc0NiAtMjEgLTMxOCAxNjEgLTYyNyA0NTIKICAgICAgICAtNzY2IDEyNiAtNjAgMTg5IC03NCAzNTAgLTc0IDExOSAwIDE1MSA0IDIxNSAyMyAyNzYgODcgNDgwIDI5NiA1NTYgNTcyIDI1CiAgICAgICAgOTAgMjYgMjk5IDEgMzkwIC03OCAyODggLTMwMCA1MDkgLTU4OSA1ODQgLTcxIDE4IC0yMTYgMjcgLTI4OCAxN3ogbTI3MCAtMjQ5CiAgICAgICAgYzE5NyAtNjggMzM0IC0yMTQgMzg1IC00MDcgNzQgLTI4NyAtMTA0IC01OTkgLTM5MCAtNjg0IC0xMDEgLTMwIC0yNjcgLTI3CiAgICAgICAgLTM2MCA3IC0xNzQgNjQgLTMyNyAyNDAgLTM2NCA0MjAgLTYyIDMwNSAxMzUgNjA4IDQzOSA2NzcgODIgMTkgMjE1IDEyIDI5MAogICAgICAgIC0xM3oiLz4KICAgICAgPC9nPgogICAgPC9zdmc+CiAgICA=" alt="photographer icon" /> Christel Saneh)
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<h2>On 2025:</h2>
&ldquo;This past year may be one of my favourite seasons because jumping a world record in Stockholm was really high up on my bucket list and, of course, I also wanted to break the 6.30m barrier at the World Championships. So, to be able to do both of those was just insane for me, because going into the year I would say they were two of the biggest goals that I had.&nbsp;
&ldquo;But honestly, it was a really amazing year. Coming off of 2024 and the Olympics in Paris, it made me feel very free, in a way. I feel like my performance in Paris was so big, it was like everything else was a cherry on top. In some ways, there was less and less pressure, because I already did all this cool stuff so there&rsquo;s nothing really left to lose, it&rsquo;s only stuff to gain.&rdquo;
<h2>On the importance of strong fan support:</h2>
&ldquo;It's super important, especially in Tokyo, because I was out there for a very long time. Manolo (silver medallist Emmanouil Karalis) pushed me very hard and I had to take a lot more jumps. I don't know exactly, but I'm assuming that's the most jumps over six metres that I have had to take before a world record attempt. That&rsquo;s of course, in large part, because of how well Manolo was jumping, how hard he was pushing me.&nbsp;
&ldquo;So, it becomes very important, and then when you have that last attempt, and your back is against the wall and you're just trying to find that last little piece of energy you have left for one more good jump, you really can get a lot of that from the energy of the crowd. Everybody staying there, really supporting me and giving me a lot of good energy, that goes a really long way.&rdquo;
<h2>On maintaining his hunger and setting goals:</h2>
&ldquo;I feel like the hunger and the motivation is 100% still there. The real advantage to it is that I get to compete freely and just enjoy the whole journey. The victory is in the journey. I&rsquo;m fortunate enough to really realise that now because I&rsquo;ve done so many things that I could only have dreamed of accomplishing. I have the dinner, it&rsquo;s just all dessert now &ndash; this is all the icing on the cake, the cherry on top. I&rsquo;m just trying to enjoy the journey with amazing people around me.
&ldquo;I set goals &ndash; I think that&rsquo;s a very important thing. You can&rsquo;t be aimless &ndash; you have to have something to strive for. Whether you get there or not, that&rsquo;s not the most important thing, but you have to have something to chase. No matter what, I&rsquo;m always chasing something.&rdquo;
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<h2>On the chance to add another title to his collection at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in 2026:</h2>
&ldquo;I'm super excited about it. As far as the list of achievements that I could do in athletics, I have pretty much checked them all off. But if we add a new event in the Ultimate Championship, that's something I haven&rsquo;t done yet &ndash; that&rsquo;s something I&rsquo;d need to check off the list, and come away with victory there.
&ldquo;I think the concept will be very exciting. Of course, I'm excited to go back to Budapest, too, because I jumped 6.29m there this past year, so I know that it's a fantastic place and a great place to jump. I know they're going to build it up even more. I think the crowd is going to be really good. For sure, that&rsquo;s going to be the highlight next year.&rdquo;
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Swedish pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis reflects on his season and looks ahead to 2026.

World Athlete of the Year Mondo Duplantis – in his words

World champion, the second-fastest women&rsquo;s 400m runner of all time, and now a two-time World Athlete of the Year winner.
USA&rsquo;s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reflects on her successful season and looks ahead to the future.
<blockquote>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a>
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<h2>On winning the Track Athlete of the Year Award at the World Athletics Awards 2025:</h2>
"Thank you so much for this award. I'm truly honoured and humbled to be receiving this, in a category full of so many amazing women who had outstanding years and performances. I'm honestly shocked to be receiving this, but I'm so grateful to World Athletics, I'm grateful to the fans who voted for me, for recognising this season and what we were able to accomplish.
"I want to say congratulations to all the other nominees and finalists and amazing performances that were put out there because this year was unreal to witness and I'm grateful I got to be a part of that, so thank you so much for the support.
"Thank you to my coach, to my husband, to my family, to all of my therapists, body workers, supporters and everybody who has been a part of this journey."
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/692d71dadf279d31da27355e.jpg" alt="Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reacts to her world 400m title win in Tokyo" />
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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reacts to her world 400m title win in Tokyo (&copy; AFP / Getty Images)
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<h2>On winning the World Athlete of the Year Award:</h2>
"I&rsquo;m honestly blown away to win this. I don't even feel deserving to be honest, but I'm just grateful for this year and for the recognition it&rsquo;s received. It&rsquo;s been a tough season in a field that was so stacked with such amazing talent. I'm beyond grateful for how they've been able to push me to new heights.
"The culmination of the season in Tokyo was a really special moment. I&rsquo;m so thankful for everyone who supported, watched, voted and who was there throughout this whole process.
"Thank you so much, World Athletics, for this honour and recognition. I&rsquo;m sorry I couldn&rsquo;t be there (at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco), but I'm grateful to still be able to share my thoughts and gratitude with you all.
"Thank you again to my coach (Bobby Kersee) for believing in me, for pushing me and continuing to bring me to new heights. Thank you to my husband for his support, for his love, for being my number one fan, and for being a huge influence in my career and the mental resilience he brings. Thank you to Malachi (Davis, performance director) for being there every single day and helping me to be the best athlete I could possibly be.
"Thank you to so many others who are behind the scenes &ndash; including my family &ndash; for the love, support and unconditional care that they&rsquo;ve shown in this journey of track and field.
"Thank you to all the fans, thank you to World Athletics and thank you to my competitors for pushing me and being so amazing at what they do. I'm excited to see what the future holds for all of us.
"Track and field is, I believe, the best sport in the world. I want to continue to show the world that we are some of the best athletes around."
<h2>On her world 400m title win in Tokyo:</h2>
"I knew there were a lot of people doubting me with making the switch from 400m hurdles to the flat 400m, but ultimately, I had faith in my training. I knew I had it in me. It was just a matter of time. It definitely helped having Marileidy Paulino in the outer lane where I could see her, but I still had to get the work done. My coach told me to get out of the blocks as fast as possible, not to stay in it for long. I knew the girls were going to push me, but what mattered was to stay composed.
"I know I am one person running on the track but there has been an army behind me. There are hundreds of people helping me."&nbsp;
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<h2>On her next challenge:</h2>
"It was a year of stepping outside of the comfort zone and pushing the bounds of what was mentally and physically possible. I hope to continue to do things that push the boundaries in the future."
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USA’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reflects on her successful season and looks ahead to the future

World Athlete of the Year Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone – in her words

1988 Carl Lewis (USA) &ndash; Florence Griffith-Joyner (USA)
1989 Roger Kingdom (USA) &ndash; Ana Fidelia Quirot (CUB)
1990 Steve Backley (GBR) &ndash; Merlene Ottey (JAM)
1991 Carl Lewis (USA) &ndash; Katrin Krabbe (GER)
1992 Kevin Young (USA) &ndash; Heike Henkel (GER)
1993 Colin Jackson (GBR) &ndash; Sally Gunnell (GBR)
1994 Noureddine Morceli (ALG) &ndash; Jackie Joyner-Kersee (USA)
1995 Jonathan Edwards (GBR) &ndash; Gwen Torrence (USA)
1996 Michael Johnson (USA) &ndash; Svetlana Masterkova (RUS)
1997 Wilson Kipketer (DEN) &ndash; Marion Jones (USA)
1998 Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) &ndash; Marion Jones (USA)
1999 Michael Johnson (USA) &ndash; Gabriela Szabo (ROM)
2000 Jan Zelezny (CZE)
2001 Hicham El Guerrouj (MAR) &ndash; Stacy Dragila (USA)
2002 Hicham El Guerrouj (MAR) &ndash; Paula Radcliffe (GBR)
2003 Hicham El Guerrouj (MAR) &ndash; Hestrie Cloete (RSA)
2004 Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) &ndash; Yelena Isinbayeva (RUS)
2005 Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) &ndash; Yelena Isinbayeva (RUS)
2006 Asafa Powell (JAM) &ndash; Sanya Richards (USA)
2007 Tyson Gay (USA) &ndash; Meseret Defar (ETH)
2008 Usain Bolt (JAM) &ndash; Yelena Isinbayeva (RUS)
2009 Usain Bolt (JAM) &ndash; Sanya Richards (USA)
2010 David Rudisha (KEN) &ndash; Blanka Vlasic (CRO)
2011 Usain Bolt (JAM) &ndash; Sally Pearson (AUS)
2012 Usain Bolt (JAM) &ndash; Allyson Felix (USA)
2013 Usain Bolt (JAM) &ndash; Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM)
2014 Renaud Lavillenie (FRA) &ndash; Valerie Adams (NZL)
2015 Ashton Eaton (USA) &ndash; Genzebe Dibaba (ETH)
2016 Usain Bolt (JAM) &ndash; Almaz Ayana (ETH)
2017 Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT) &ndash; Nafissatou Thiam (BEL)
2018 Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) &ndash; Caterine Ibarguen (COL)
2019 Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) &ndash; Dalilah Muhammad (USA)
2020 Mondo Duplantis (SWE) &ndash; Yulimar Rojas (VEN)
2021 Karsten Warholm (NOR) &ndash; Elaine Thompson-Herah (JAM)
2022 Mondo Duplantis (SWE) &ndash; Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA)
2023 track: Noah Lyles (USA) &ndash; Faith Kipyegon (KEN) field: Mondo Duplantis (SWE) &ndash; Yulimar Rojas (VEN) out of stadium: Kelvin Kiptum (KEN) &ndash; Tigist Assefa (ETH)
2024 Letsile Tebogo (BOT) &ndash; Sifan Hassan (NED) track: Letsile Tebogo (BOT) &ndash; Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) field: Mondo Duplantis (SWE) &ndash; Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR) out of stadium: Tamirat Tola (ETH) &ndash; Sifan Hassan (NED)&nbsp;
2025 Mondo Duplantis (SWE) &ndash; Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) track: Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) &ndash; Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) field: Mondo Duplantis (SWE) &ndash; Nicola Olyslagers (AUS) out of stadium: Sabastian Sawe (KEN) &ndash; Maria Perez (ESP)&nbsp;
&nbsp;

A list of the athletes to have claimed World Athlete of the Year honours since 1988

World Athletes of the Year 1988-2025

World champions Mondo Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone have been announced as the World Athletes of the Year, receiving top honours in Monaco in recognition of their standout achievements in 2025.
Sweden&rsquo;s&nbsp;pole vault star&nbsp;Duplantis&nbsp;and&nbsp;USA&rsquo;s&nbsp;sprint sensation&nbsp;McLaughlin-Levrone&nbsp;were the final winners to be revealed&nbsp;at the&nbsp;World Athletics Awards 2025 on Sunday (30),&nbsp;on an evening that saw six athletes crowned in three categories &ndash; track, field and out of stadium &ndash; before the two&nbsp;overall&nbsp;winners were&nbsp;confirmed.
Before being named as the World Athletes of the Year, Duplantis was announced as the men&rsquo;s field athlete of the year and McLaughlin-Levrone as the women&rsquo;s track athlete of the year. Spain&rsquo;s Maria Perez and Kenya&rsquo;s Sabastian Sawe were confirmed as the out of stadium athletes of the year, while Kenya&rsquo;s Emmanuel Wanyonyi received the men&rsquo;s track athlete of the year honour and Australia&rsquo;s Nicola Olyslagers the women&rsquo;s field athlete of the year accolade.
This year&rsquo;s Rising Stars were also celebrated, those honours going to world medallists Edmund Serem of Kenya and Zhang Jiale of China.
<h3>World Athletes of the Year for 2025</h3>
Women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year:&nbsp;Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone&nbsp;(USA) Men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year:&nbsp;Mondo Duplantis (SWE)
Women&rsquo;s track:&nbsp;Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) Women&rsquo;s field:&nbsp;Nicola Olyslagers (AUS) Women&rsquo;s out of stadium:&nbsp;Maria Perez (ESP) Men&rsquo;s track:&nbsp;Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) Men&rsquo;s field:&nbsp;Mondo Duplantis (SWE) Men&rsquo;s out of stadium:&nbsp;Sabastian Sawe (KEN)
Women&rsquo;s Rising Star: Zhang Jiale&nbsp;(CHN) Men&rsquo;s Rising Star: Edmund Serem (KEN)
&ldquo;The World Athletics Awards is a celebration of the very best of our sport. Tonight, we honour our greatest men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s athletes and rising stars across track, field and out of stadium,&rdquo; said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe during the awards ceremony.
&ldquo;If there&rsquo;s a motto for this year&rsquo;s Awards, it is &lsquo;for the athletes, by the athletes&rsquo; and the recipients tonight will aptly receive their prizes from some of our most storied Awards winners down the years.
&ldquo;I want to thank all the athletes present for their inseparable contribution to a memorable 2025, with its crescendo World Athletics Championships in Tokyo &ndash; the most widely covered and commercially impactful edition of our sport&rsquo;s flagship event in its history.&rdquo;
Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone both won Rising Star awards in 2018 and have gone on to become two of the most successful athletes in the sport.
In 2025, Duplantis set four world pole vault records and was undefeated in 16 competitions, his wins including world titles both indoors and outdoors. The 26-year-old is the first male pole vaulter in modern history to go undefeated for two successive years.
He set world records of 6.27m in Clermont-Ferrand, 6.28m in Stockholm, 6.29m in Budapest and 6.30m at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, and won a fifth consecutive Diamond League title.
"Thank you so much. This is such a huge honour. Thank you to the jury and World Athletics for voting me in yet again," said Duplantis. "I hope to keep pushing it. I hope to keep irritating everyone who has to vote for me for years to come. I'm proud to represent everyone who supports me &ndash; my family and my future wife. It's really important for me to win this for the field eventers. It's very special, I'm going to really cherish this one.
"I genuinely try to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be. I have a lot of joy that I hope to spread when I'm on the track; I have an immense passion and joy for what I do. I'm so obsessed with pole vaulting and I love pushing myself. I hope that I can inspire the next generation to try athletics, and even pole vaulting. If I can inspire even just a few people to do it, then I feel I'm doing my job."
McLaughlin-Levrone has also been undefeated for two years in both the 400m flat, which was her main event in 2025, and in the 400m hurdles, extending her win streak in that discipline to 24 races.
The 26-year-old won the world 400m title in Tokyo in a North American record of 47.78, breaking a 42-year-old championship record with the second-fastest 400m of all time. As a result, she became the first athlete to have ever won world titles in both the 400m flat and 400m hurdles, following her win in the latter in Oregon in 2022. She also formed part of USA&rsquo;s victorious 4x400m team in Tokyo.
"Wow, I&rsquo;m honestly blown away to win this. Thank you so much, World Athletics, for this honour and recognition," said McLaughlin-Levrone. "The culmination of the season in Tokyo was a really special moment. I&rsquo;m so thankful for everyone who supported, watched, voted and who was there throughout this whole process.
"Track and field is, I believe, the best sport in the world. I want to continue to show the world that we are some of the best athletes around. For me, 2025 was a year of stepping outside of the comfort zone and pushing the bounds of what was mentally and physically possible. I want to continue pushing boundaries in 2026."
Her fellow track athlete of the year, Wanyonyi, won world and Diamond League titles in the 800m and achieved four of the top six performances of the year, including a world lead of 1:41.44 in Monaco.
Olyslagers, who joined Duplantis in being named field athlete of the year, won world high jump titles indoors and outdoors and became the Diamond League champion and world leader with an Oceanian record of 2.04m.
Both out of stadium athletes of the year were unbeaten in 2025. The wins by Perez included world titles in both the 20km race walk and the 35km race walk at the World Championships in Tokyo, while Sawe won the London Marathon and the Berlin Marathon, the latter in a world lead of 2:02:16.
The six category awards were handed out by previous World Athletes of the Year. Letsile Tebogo awarded the track athlete of the year honours, Valerie Adams the field honours and Paula Radcliffe the out of stadium honours, before His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco announced McLaughlin-Levrone as the Women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year and Coe handed Duplantis his Men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year trophy.
<h2>Serem and Zhang named Rising Stars of 2025</h2>
Despite still being U20 athletes, both 17-year-old Edmund Serem and 19-year-old Zhang Jiale made an impact on the senior stage in 2025.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/692ca5a24e7bc73aae2a011a.jpg" alt="Rising Stars Edmund Serem and Zhang Jiale" />
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Rising Stars Edmund Serem and Zhang Jiale (&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" /> Chiara Montesano)
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Zhang improved the world U20 hammer record to 77.24m at the Chinese Championships in Quzhou and clinched bronze at the World Championships in Tokyo, throwing 77.10m to secure a spot on the podium alongside Canada&rsquo;s Camryn Rogers and her Chinese compatriot Zhao Jie.
Serem also became a world bronze medallist as he finished third in the 3000m steeplechase behind New Zealand&rsquo;s Geordie Beamish and Morocco&rsquo;s Soufiane El Bakkali in Tokyo. He was runner-up in the Diamond League final and achieved top four finishes in four other Diamond League meetings during the season.
Keeping to the theme of the evening of &lsquo;for the athletes, by the athletes&rsquo;, 2018 Rising Star winner Duplantis presented the awards to Serem and Zhang.
<h2>McAvaney&nbsp;wins President&rsquo;s Award</h2>
The winner of the President&rsquo;s Award was also announced in Monaco on Sunday, the honour going to Australian broadcaster Bruce McAvaney in recognition of his tireless contribution to sports media and commentary, and the philanthropy he brings to athletics.
&ldquo;The recipient of this year&rsquo;s President&rsquo;s Award is one of very few people who can say they achieved the dream they had at the age of five,&rdquo; said Coe. &ldquo;Bruce has been involved in international sport at the highest level, broadcasting to the widest possible audience over five decades.
&ldquo;His drive for knowledge, combined with the ability to recognise performance in a historical context, and a genuine respect and regard for individuals has led him to be acknowledged as one of Australia&rsquo;s greatest sports commentators.&rdquo;
After receiving his award in Monaco, McAvaney said: &ldquo;Athletics has been the central thread of my career at Seven and is a sport I hold incredibly close to my heart. To be honoured in this way, and by someone I have such enormous admiration for in Sebastian Coe, is truly one of the highlights of my career.
"I've been incredibly fortunate to work across many major events and sports, but nothing compares to athletics at the highest level. The opportunity to call those defining, once-in-a-lifetime moments are what fuel my passion and make my job as a broadcaster so special.&rdquo;
The President's Award, first awarded in 2016, recognises and honours exceptional service to athletics.
<h2>Other award winners</h2>
Woman of the Year <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/ruth-jepchumba-bundotich-woman-of-the-year-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ruth Jepchumba Bundotich</a>
Coaching Achievement Award <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/michael-oconnor-coaching-achievement-award-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael O&rsquo;Connor</a>
Photograph of the Year <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/vegard-grott-2025-photograph-of-the-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vegard Grott</a>
Member Federation Award <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/china-wins-2025-member-federations-award" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China</a>
Fair Play Award <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/tim-van-de-velde-international-fair-play-award-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tim Van de Velde</a>
World Athletics
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World champions Mondo Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone have been announced as the World Athletes of the Year, receiving top honours in Monaco in recognition of their standout achievements in 2025

Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year

Belgian steeplechaser Tim Van de Velde has been selected as the winner of the International Fair Play Award following his selfless act to help another athlete during competition at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
Following nominations from fans, members of the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) and World Athletics formed a jury to decide on a shortlist of fair play moments in athletics from 2025, before Van de Velde was declared the winner.
Van de Velde&rsquo;s fair play moment occurred during the 3000m steeplechase heats at the World Championships in Tokyo.
Colombia&rsquo;s Carlos San Martin was injured during a fall earlier in the race 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 &ndash; in a true demonstration of sportsmanship and humanity.
&ldquo;The more I look back on the moment, the more I can actually enjoy it,&rdquo; said Van de Velde. &ldquo;I never had to think twice during the race to make the decision to turn back and support him.
&ldquo;It was a day in which we both suffered as Carlos crashed into a barrier and I fell at the water jump, but somehow, we made memories for a lifetime. Through our moment we have been able to share those initial feelings of disappointment and that has been a big help in coping with it all. Intense is the right word for that day, but the intensity has made room for a very positive story in the long run. Never could I have imagined getting so much recognition for something that felt very natural to me.
&ldquo;For me, this award is something bigger than just sports or performance. It focuses on the human side of things and that is something I have always been trying to promote, especially when it comes to mental health. A couple of years ago, I might have focused on records, but this is worth much more than that. I consider it an honour to become a part of the history of this award, and I will continue to cherish the moment Carlos and I shared in Tokyo.&rdquo;
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m thrilled that our sport continues to highlight the very best of fair play. This year&rsquo;s Fair Play Award winner has shown that true success comes not just from performance, but from integrity and respect. He exemplifies the strong belief that how we compete matters just as much as the result, and I congratulate him on this well-deserved honour.&rdquo;
International Fair Play Committee President Sunil Sabharwal said: &ldquo;The International Fair Play Committee is honoured to bestow this prize upon Tim Van de Velde. His unselfish act in the 3000m steeplechase at the Tokyo World Championships transcended competition, offering a powerful, instantaneous reminder that compassion outweighs consequence.
&ldquo;The global resonance of this moment &ndash; from significant media coverage to tremendous positive social engagement &ndash; stands as undeniable proof that the world yearns for such living embodiment of fair play. We thank World Athletics for its long-term partnership, enabling us to celebrate the true spirit of friendship and courage that illuminated the exceptional Tokyo 2025 championships.&rdquo;
The CIFP was established more than 60 years ago to promote the principles of fair play in sport: fair competition, respect, friendship, team spirit, equality and sport without doping. It honours those who respect the written and unwritten rules of sport, which include integrity, solidarity, tolerance, care, excellence and joy, and who set an example for others, on and off the field. The CIFP&rsquo;s first collaboration with World Athletics dates back to the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris. Twelve awards have been handed out since then.
World Athletics

Belgian steeplechaser Tim Van de Velde has been selected as the winner of the International Fair Play Award following his selfless act to help another athlete during competition at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25

Belgium’s Van de Velde wins International Fair Play Award

Ruth Jepchumba&nbsp;Bundotich&nbsp;has been announced as the recipient of the 2025 World Athletics Woman of the Year Award, honouring her outstanding leadership, commitment to athlete development and exceptional contributions to the growth of women&rsquo;s athletics in Kenya and beyond.&nbsp;
A trailblazer in the coaching community,&nbsp;Bundotich&nbsp;has become one of Kenya&rsquo;s most influential figures in youth and women&rsquo;s athlete development. Through her work with Ikaika Sports Agency and Adidas Running, she has helped create a sustainable and supportive pathway for&nbsp;emerging&nbsp;talents, ensuring young athletes, particularly girls, are empowered both on and off the track.&nbsp;
Her&nbsp;holistic approach&nbsp;has been widely credited with shaping the environments that produced breakout stars such as world record-holder Agnes Ngetich, whose achievements helped spotlight the wider ecosystem&nbsp;Bundotich&nbsp;has built.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I am deeply honoured by this recognition from World Athletics,&rdquo; said&nbsp;Bundotich. &ldquo;This acknowledgement reflects not just one athlete's journey but the collective commitment to nurturing,&nbsp;developing&nbsp;and safeguarding young talents, particularly young girls in athletics.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I want to especially acknowledge Athletics Kenya for inspiring, motivating and recognising my work. My work with Ikaika Sports Agency and Adidas Running has always centred on creating sustainable pathways for young athletes to thrive, both on and off the track.&nbsp;It's&nbsp;gratifying to see these efforts recognised at this level.&nbsp;
&ldquo;While Agnes Ngetich&rsquo;s achievements, among others, have brought visibility to this work, her success&nbsp;represents&nbsp;something much larger: a collaborative approach to athlete development.&nbsp;
&ldquo;It takes an ecosystem of committed people to nurture talents responsibly and sustainably. This recognition truly belongs to a village of more than 15 individuals &ndash; coaches, support staff, family&nbsp;members&nbsp;and mentors who have each played a vital role.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I am grateful for this honour and remain committed to continuing this work, ensuring that young athletes have the support, protection and guidance they need to reach their full potential.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Bundotich&nbsp;becomes the latest in a distinguished line of recipients recognised for driving progress and equity in athletics. The Woman of the Year Award celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport, particularly in advancing opportunities for women and girls.&nbsp;
The&nbsp;Woman of the Year&nbsp;Award is celebrated as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025. Further announcements will be made this weekend, with the World Athletes of the Year and Rising Stars being revealed at the awards ceremony in Monaco on 30 November.&nbsp;
World Athletics&nbsp;

Ruth Jepchumba Bundotich has been announced as the recipient of the 2025 World Athletics Woman of the Year Award

Kenya's Jepchumba Bundotich named Woman of the Year

Irish combined events coach Michael O&rsquo;Connor has been named the recipient of the 2025 Coaching Achievement Award, recognising his outstanding commitment to athlete development.&nbsp;
With a coaching career spanning more than two decades, O&rsquo;Connor&rsquo;s path into the sport began through a degree in construction and a postgraduate certificate in education &ndash; a route that equipped him with skills in planning, structure and long-term&nbsp;goal-setting&nbsp;that now shape the foundation of his coaching philosophy.&nbsp;
A committed lifelong learner, O&rsquo;Connor has surrounded himself with world-class practitioners and sought mentorship from some of the most respected figures in global coaching. This network has helped him stay at the forefront of performance&nbsp;methodology, continually refining his approach to elevate the athletes he works with.&nbsp;
A standout highlight of his career has been the long-term development of his daughter, Kate O&rsquo;Connor, whom he has coached for 15 years. Their journey &ndash; marked by resilience, careful&nbsp;planning&nbsp;and a shared commitment to excellence &ndash; culminated this season in Kate earning silver medals at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, becoming the first Irish athlete to earn senior global medals in combined events.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I am truly surprised and deeply grateful to receive this honour,&rdquo; said O&rsquo;Connor. &ldquo;My coaching journey has taken many twists and turns, and&nbsp;I&rsquo;ve&nbsp;been fortunate to be supported along the way by many exceptional coaches and practitioners, many of whom&nbsp;I&rsquo;m&nbsp;privileged to still work alongside today. Their&nbsp;expertise, dedication, and unwavering belief continue to shape and elevate the work we do every day.&nbsp;
&ldquo;It has been a privilege and a joy to coach this athlete and to witness her achieve extraordinary things in recent years,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;I am humbled by this recognition and profoundly thankful to my current coaching and support network, whose commitment makes achievements like this possible, and to everyone who has been part of the journey.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Known for his meticulous approach, O&rsquo;Connor is equally focused on technical detail and long-term strategic planning. His athlete-centred philosophy ensures not only performance excellence but a supportive environment for continuous growth &ndash; both for his athletes and himself as a coach.&nbsp;
The Coaching Achievement Award is celebrated as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025. Further announcements will be made this weekend, with the World Athletes of the Year and Rising Stars being revealed at the awards ceremony in Monaco on 30 November.&nbsp;
World Athletics

Irish combined events coach Michael O’Connor has been named the recipient of the Coaching Achievement Award, recognising his outstanding commitment to athlete development

Ireland's O’Connor honoured with Coaching Achievement Award

Vegard Grott&rsquo;s evocative image of athletes competing in the Dream Mile has been selected as the 2025 World Athletics Photograph of the Year.&nbsp;
The photograph, titled &lsquo;Shadows&rsquo;,&nbsp;captures the dramatic movement of athletes competing at the&nbsp;Bislett&nbsp;Games Diamond League meeting in Oslo. As in past years, the World Athletics Photograph of the Year shines a spotlight on exceptional images captured by professional photographers around the globe.&nbsp;
From the 141 images that were submitted, a panel of judges &ndash; comprising two-time world 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson, four-time world triple jump champion Christian Taylor, photographer and Paris 2024 photo chief Pascal Rondeau, and World Athletics digital creative manager Christel El Saneh &ndash;&nbsp;selected Grott&rsquo;s image for its emotional impact and powerful portrayal of athletic endeavour.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m truly honoured to receive this,&rdquo; said Grott. &ldquo;This year the&nbsp;Bislett&nbsp;Games was held over two days, and&nbsp;I&rsquo;d&nbsp;shot some similar images on day one. On day two, the sun was a bit stronger and there was a packed crowd. I shot two laps of the race before the sun&nbsp;disappeared&nbsp;and this image ended up being one of them.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I've been shooting this event in Oslo for almost 15 years, but this was the first time the sun had been perfect for this kind of shot,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;It's&nbsp;also about intuition.&nbsp;I've&nbsp;seen some similar&nbsp;images, but&nbsp;had never taken one myself.&nbsp;It was one of those moments where everything comes together.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I shoot&nbsp;mainly football, but also a lot of athletics. Personally &ndash; and I&nbsp;can't&nbsp;say this to my football colleagues &ndash; I prefer athletics, so winning this&nbsp;is a big deal&nbsp;and an honour.&nbsp;Thank you to the judges and to World Athletics.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Grott has been working as an agency photographer since 2011 and joined the ranks of&nbsp;Bildbyr&aring;n&nbsp;in 2017. Over the years, he has chronicled major sporting events &ndash; including multiple Olympic Games &ndash; and has served as team photographer for the Norwegian football team. On three separate occasions, his work has been recognised among the world&rsquo;s best by Pictures of the Year International and the National Press Photographers Association.&nbsp;
This year&rsquo;s honour will be recognised at the 2025 World Athletics Awards &ndash; to be held in Monaco on 30 November &ndash; alongside other accolades celebrating excellence in athletics worldwide.&nbsp;
World Athletics

Vegard Grott’s evocative image of athletes competing in the Dream Mile has been selected as the 2025 World Athletics Photograph of the Year

Norwegian Grott wins World Athletics Photograph of the Year

China has been named as winner of the Member Federation Award, as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025.
The Member Federation Award recognises a Member Federation that has distinguished itself in its accomplishments throughout the year and, as a result, positively contributed to the growth and profile of the sport. Six federations were shortlisted for this year&rsquo;s award, each nominated by one of the six Area Associations, before China was selected by the World Athletics Executive Board as the winner.
&ldquo;We would like to express our sincere gratitude to World Athletics for awarding this award to the Chinese Athletics Association,&rdquo; said the winning federation. &ldquo;This honour is a full recognition of our work.
&ldquo;In 2025, the successful hosting of the Nanjing World Athletics Indoor Championships and the Guangzhou World Athletics Relays demonstrated to the world China's professional event-organising capabilities and boundless passion for athletics. Looking ahead, we will fully assist and support the organising committees of Beijing and Yangzhou in preparing for the World Athletics Congress and the World Athletics Championships to be held in Beijing, and the World Athletics Road Running Championships to be held in Yangzhou, in 2027. We will cherish this honour, make persistent efforts, and work with colleagues around the world to promote the development of global athletics.&rdquo;
The Chinese Athletics Association demonstrated progress across five key areas in 2025: institutional innovation, event enhancement, youth development, gender equality and commercial collaboration.
Two World Athletics Series events &ndash; the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 and the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25 &ndash; were capably and efficiently held in China, and Beijing hosted the final Continental Tour Gold meeting of the season. Two Diamond League events took place in Xiamen and Shaoxing/Keqiao, while China also welcomed athletes for three Platinum Label road races and one World Race Walking Tour Gold event.
Hundreds of track &amp; field and road events were organised by the Chinese Athletics Association, attracting more than six million participants in total.
The World Athletics Kids' Athletics Relay Around the World Challenge had its finale in Guangzhou, key measures to enhance athlete safety and rights protection were introduced, the representation of female athletes and officials steadily increased, and two national-level officiating training courses were conducted, resulting in 346 officials obtaining World Athletics Bronze Level certification.
In partnership with China Mobile, the federation enhanced numerous top-tier road races in branding, technology and communication, establishing a new model for association-corporate collaboration.
Further World Athletics Awards announcements will be made this weekend, with the World Athletes of the Year and Rising Stars revealed on Sunday (30 November).
World Athletics

China has been named as winner of the Member Federation Award, as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025

China wins Member Federation Award

Sander Skotheim described fair play as &ldquo;one of the best foundations of sport&rdquo; as he received an award at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne for his actions during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Norwegian decathlete had been in contention for a medal in Paris, but no-heighting in the pole vault dashed his dreams of a podium place. Despite that disappointment, Skotheim decided to continue competing. In the process he supported his compatriot and the eventual winner Markus Rooth, helping his teammate in the final discipline &ndash; the 1500m.
That act saw Skotheim declared the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/fair-play-award-2024-sander-skotheim" target="_blank" rel="noopener">winner of the International Fair Play Award as part of the World Athletics Awards 2024</a> and more recently the world indoor champion received recognition in Lausanne, as one of three winners of the CIFP&rsquo;s Fair Play Awards, in conjunction with the Olympic Games.
&ldquo;I view fair play as one of the best foundations of sport. You&rsquo;re out there and you&rsquo;re competing but it&rsquo;s not only you competing &ndash; you&rsquo;re all there competing together and to have that respect for each other is truly one of the foundations of sport that I live most up to,&rdquo; he said.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691dbd377c2555dcd480e54d.jpg" alt="Sander Skotheim at the Fair Play Awards in Lausanne" />
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Sander Skotheim at the Fair Play Awards in Lausanne (&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" /> Delphine Maiarelli)
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Reflecting on his award, he added: &ldquo;I feel truly honoured. It means a lot to me to get this award for something that for me felt very natural in the moment. It was a great experience and very inspiring for me to be there to enjoy part of his (Rooth&rsquo;s) moment in becoming the Olympic champion.&rdquo;
After being named the Fair Play Award winner as part of the World Athletics Awards in 2024, Skotheim now forms part of the jury judging on the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/fair-play-award-finalists-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fair play moments nominated for the 2025 award</a>.
Three finalists &ndash; Emmanouil Karalis, Josh Kerr and Tim Van De Velde &ndash; were announced on Monday (17). The winner will be decided following votes from the jury and from fans on social media, and will be announced as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025.
World Athletics
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The decathlete received recognition in Lausanne, as one of three winners of the CIFP’s Fair Play Awards

Skotheim: 'fair play is a foundation of sport'

As the countdown to the World Athletics Awards 2025 continues, a digital exhibition has been created featuring the 10 images shortlisted for World Athletics Photograph of the Year.
From the 141 images that were submitted, a panel of judges &ndash; comprising two-time world 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson, four-time world triple jump champion Christian Taylor, photographer and Paris 2024 photo chief Pascal Rondeau, and World Athletics digital creative manager Christel El Saneh &ndash; selected the below 10 shortlisted images and then the three finalists.
The <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/finalists-2025-photograph-of-the-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finalists were announced on 13 November</a> and the winning photograph will be announced on World Athletics&rsquo; platforms on 28 November as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025.
<h2>Digital exhibition of shortlisted images</h2>
<h3>&lsquo;Speed silhouette&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db621a022568f8c1c69c7.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - Speed silhouette" /></div>
A hurdler in action during training at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial Continental Tour Gold meeting in Budapest Photo by David Balogh 
<h3>&lsquo;Champions under the flag&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6915a69d364ea40dd602ee01.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year finalist - Champions under the flag" /></div>
Men&rsquo;s 100m bronze medallist Noah Lyles of the USA celebrates with his teammate Tara Davis-Woodhall, gold medallist from the women's long jump, at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 Photo by Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters 
<h3>&lsquo;Perseverance&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6915a74f364ea40dd602ee04.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year finalist - Perseverance" /></div>
Geordie Beamish of New Zealand avoids the foot of Jean-Simon Desgagnes of Canada as he falls to the ground during the men's 3000m steeplechase heats on day one of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 Photo by Emilee Chinn / Getty Images 
<h3>&lsquo;Winner&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db688a022568f8c1c69d0.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - Winner" /></div>
Jamaica&rsquo;s Oblique Seville, the world 100m champion, at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 Photo by Ales Graf 
<h3>&lsquo;Shadows&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6915a779364ea40dd602ee07.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year finalist - Shadows" /></div>
Narve Gilje Nordas of Norway, Samuel Pihlstrom of Sweden and athletes compete in the men&rsquo;s Dream Mile during the Bislett Games Diamond League competition in Oslo, Norway Photo by Vegard Gr&oslash;tt / Bildbyr&aring;n 
<h3>&lsquo;The struggle&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db6a9a022568f8c1c69d3.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - The struggle" /></div>
Doris Lemngole of Kenya falls over Norah Jeruto of Kazakhstan as Sembo Almayew of Ethiopia competes during the women's 3000m steeplechase final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 Photo by Mate Ladjanszki 
<h3>&lsquo;Clearing the bar in style&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db6c8a022568f8c1c69d6.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - Clearing the bar in style" /></div>
Decathlon champion Leo Neugebauer clearing the bar and celebrating during the decathlon pole vault at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 Photo by Stefan Mayer 
<h3>&lsquo;The 100ml final from another perspective&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db5f8a022568f8c1c69c4.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - The 100ml final from another perspective" /></div>
Men&rsquo;s 100m medallists Oblique Seville, Kishane Thompson and Noah Lyles in action at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 Photo By Victor Seco / @vsmphotoevents 
<h3>&lsquo;Friendship&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db66da022568f8c1c69cd.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - Friendship" /></div>
Serbia's Angelina Topic and Australia's Eleanor Patterson shelter from the rain during the women&rsquo;s high jump final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 Photo by Aleksandra Szmigiel / Reuters 
<h3>&lsquo;In sync&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db64da022568f8c1c69ca.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - In sync" /></div>
Athletes jumping over hurdles in a line during the men&rsquo;s 400m hurdles heats at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25&nbsp; Photo by Eric Wu for the World Athletics Media Academy
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A digital exhibition has been created featuring the 10 images shortlisted for World Athletics Photograph of the Year

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