Voting is underway to determine the 2023 World Athletes of the Year for the 2023 World Athletics Awards. Five African athletes, three in the women's category and two in the men's, are among the nominees.
World Athletics has published the list of nominees for the titles of best athlete of the year (men and women). There are 11 nominees for each category. In the list of contenders for the women's title are 3 Africans: Kenyan Faith Kipyegon, Ethiopians Tigist Assefa and Gudaf Tsegay. The men's list includes 2 African representatives: Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali and Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum. The athletes were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, made up of representatives from World Athletics' six continental regions.
The choices were based on outstanding performances at the Budapest 23 World Athletics Championships, one-day meeting circuits, Label road races and other events around the world.
World Athletics is pleased to confirm a list of 11 nominees for Women’s World Athlete of the Year ✨#AthleticsAwards press release ⬇️
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) October 11, 2023
Voting process
As far as voting is concerned, the World Athletics Council and the World Athletics family will be among the voters. They will vote by e-mail.
Fans, too, can vote online via World Athletics' social media platforms. Individual graphics for each candidate will be published this week on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. A "like" on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or a retweet on X will count as one vote.
The World Athletics Council vote will count for 50% of the result. World Athletics family votes and public votes will each count for 25% of the final result.
End of voting and final results
Voting for the World Athlete of the Year will close at midnight on Saturday, October 28. At the end of the voting process, 5 female and 5 male finalists will be announced by World Athletics on November 13 and 14.
The winners will be announced on World Athletics' social networking platforms on December 11.
The 3 African women nominated
Faith Kipyegon, Kenya, 1500 m/mile/5000m: world champion in 1500 m and 5000 m; world records in 1500 m, mile and 5000 m.
Gudaf Tsegay, Ethiopia, 5000 m/10000m: 10,000 m world champion; Diamond League 5000 m champion with world record.
Tigist Assefa, Ethipir, marathon: Berlin Marathon winner; marathon world record.
World Athletics is pleased to confirm a list of 11 nominees for Men’s World Athlete of the Year ✨#AthleticsAwards press release ⬇️
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) October 12, 2023
