World Athletics
St. Lucia’s sprint sensation Julien Alfred missed out on the prestigious World Athletics Female Track Athlete of the Year award, as Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone claimed the title during the 2024 World Athletics Awards in Monaco. The event celebrated the year's finest performances across multiple categories, culminating in the crowning of Sifan Hassan and Letsile Tebogo as the overall World Athletes of the Year.
Alfred, who enjoyed a breakthrough year highlighted by her dominance on the track and consistent record-breaking performances, was among the standout nominees in the women’s track category. However, the honor went to McLaughlin-Levrone, who set two world records in the 400m hurdles—clocking 50.65 and 50.37—while claiming double gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the hurdles and the 4x400m relay.
The awards ceremony was a celebration of excellence, with McLaughlin-Levrone joining an elite roster of winners that included Hassan, who won three medals at the Paris Olympics, including marathon gold in an Olympic record of 2:22:55. Tebogo made history as the first athlete from Botswana to win Olympic gold, taking the 200m title in a blistering African record of 19.46.
Field athletes Mondo Duplantis and Yaroslava Mahuchikh were also honored, having set new world records in the pole vault and high jump, respectively, while marathon champions Tamirat Tola and Hassan took the out-of-stadium awards. Rising Stars Sembo Almayew of Ethiopia and Mattia Furlani of Italy were celebrated for their promising performances.
Although Alfred did not clinch the track award, her achievements in 2024, including multiple podium finishes and record times, solidify her status as one of the sport's rising stars. Her remarkable consistency and ability to shine on the world stage have made her a source of pride for St. Lucia and the Caribbean. Fans and analysts alike anticipate her continued growth and potential to claim top honors in future seasons.
The night served as a reminder of the incredible talent across athletics, with World Athletics President Sebastian Coe praising all the nominees and winners for "redefining what is possible in terms of athletic performance." As the sport looks ahead to another exciting year, athletes like Julien Alfred remain key figures in shaping its future.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Kyron McMaster awarded OBE for contributions to sports in the British Virgin Islands
Two-time Commonwealth Games 400m hurdles champion Kyron McMaster has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions to sports in the British Virgin Islands. The honor was presented by Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, marking a proud moment for the athlete and his nation.
McMaster, who is also a World Championship silver medalist, has become a symbol of pride for the British Virgin Islands. His achievements on the track, including his Commonwealth Games triumphs and his World Championship success, have placed him among the most celebrated athletes in the region.
In a statement following the ceremony, McMaster expressed his gratitude, saying, “It feels good to be recognised by the British Empire for my due diligence in sports and the British Virgin Islands.”
The OBE recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their field, and McMaster’s dedication to his craft, coupled with his role as a national ambassador, has undoubtedly earned him this prestigious honor. His recognition not only celebrates his personal achievements but also shines a spotlight on the potential of athletes from smaller nations to make a global impact.
McMaster’s legacy continues to inspire young athletes in the British Virgin Islands and beyond, exemplifying excellence and perseverance on the international stage.
Alfred named AW International Female Athlete of the Year
The accolades keep coming for Saint Lucia’s queen of sprinting, Julien Alfred with the announcement on Friday that she has been voted as the Athletics Weekly (AW) International Female Athlete of the Year for 2024.
Over an elite field including Belgium’s Nafi Thiam, The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, Faith Kipyegon, and Beatrice Chebet, the USA’s Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the 23-year-old Ciceron native won the vote of the fans of one of the world’s premier Athletics publications.
The University of Texas graduate started the year with 60m gold at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow and went on to win Olympic 100m gold and 200m silver in Paris in August as well as the Wanda Diamond League 100m crown.
Since her season ended in September, she has been recognised by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) for her exploits in Paris.
Alfred is also a finalist for the World Athletics Track Athlete of the Year, along with McLaughlin-Levrone. The Track Athlete of the Year will be announced at the World Athletics Gala next month.
Reid named Athletics Weekly’s International U20 Female Athlete of the Year for 2024
Jamaican U20 100m record holder has been crowned as Athletic Weekly’s International U20 Female Athlete of the Year for 2024, the magazine announced on Friday.
In August, the 19-year-old claimed her maiden World U20 title by winning 100m gold at the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.
Reid’s winning time in the final was 11.17, the fourth fastest U20 time in the world for the year. Reid also had the fastest U20 time of the season, 11.09 at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville on April 13.
She was also part of Jamaica’s gold-medal winning 4x100m team in Lima.
Before her exploits in Peru, Reid was a member of Jamaica’s team at the Paris Olympics earlier in August, competing in both rounds of the women’s 4x100m relay.
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