The global governing body for athletics, World Athletics, has unveiled the list of finalists for the prestigious 2024 “Track Athlete of the Year” awards, recognising outstanding performances on the track across the seasonal calendar. The nominations include some of the sport’s most dominant figures, reflecting a year of exceptional results and intense competition. (Source: Inside the Games)
Among the women’s nominees is Kenyan middle-distance star Faith Kipyegon — the 1500 m world champion and 5000 m silver medallist — whose season included world-leading times and a strong title-defence. The other nominated women illustrate the depth of talent in global athletics this year.
On the men’s side, the nomination list features athletes who pushed boundaries and broke new ground, with world champions, record-setters, and consistent major-meet winners all in contention. Their inclusion underscores a year in which the margins of victory were often razor-thin and the standard of competition extreme.
The finalists were selected from a shortlist derived from performances at major competitions including the World Championships, Diamond League meets, and national or continental championships. World Athletics said it evaluated criteria such as “championship medals, consistency of performances and progression through the season.”
Though the winner selection is still pending, athletics commentators are already debating how the voting might play out. Some analysts argue that Kipyegon’s dominance gives her a strong edge in the women’s category, while in the men’s class the field is so competitive that the result could hinge on subjective evaluations of influence and legacy rather than times alone.
The winners will be announced at the annual World Athletics Awards ceremony, scheduled for December 2024 in Monaco, where other categories such as “Field Athlete of the Year” and “Coach of the Year” will also be honoured. The event caps the global athletics calendar and serves as a key moment of recognition for athletes and officials alike.
