Three stars of athletics have placed in the Top 10 of the “Champions of Champions” poll in the influential French sports’ newspaper L’Equipe, published today (2 January). Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) was fourth, thanks to his world title and world record at 10,000m as well as his double at the World Cross Country Championships. France’s Ladji Doucoure was 6th, for becoming world champion in Helsinki at 110m Hurdles and 4x100m, one place ahead of Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin, who scored a 100m/200m double in Helsinki. No other sport had more than one competitor in the top ten, selected by 281 L’Equipe journalists based on their achievements during 2005.
France’s Ladji Doucoure, the reigning World Champion at 110m Hurdles and 4x100m, said; “To see three athletes in the top 10 for 2005 is good news, and is something that should continue. It shows that the sport of athletics has entered a new era. I am happy to be placed at number 7, because that was my favourite number when I played football!”
L’Equipe Champions of Champions poll for 2005
1. Roger FEDERER,Tennis, 676 points
2. Valentino ROSSI, Motorcycling, 387
3. Fernando ALONSO, Formula 1, 324
4. Kenenisa BEKELE, Athletics, 250
5. RONALDINHO, Football, 203
6. Bode MILLER, Skiing 163
7. Ladji DOUCOURE, Athletics 133
8. Justin GATLIN, Athletics, 132
9. Sebastien LOEB, Rally car racing, 130
10. Tom BOONEN, Cycling, 103
For more on the Champion of Champions poll go to: http://www.lequipe.fr
IAAF