Jackson, the second-fastest woman of all time over 200m, won her second World 200m title in Budapest in August, breaking her own championship record of 21.45 when she sped to a winning time of 21.41. She capped her incredible season winning the Diamond 100m and 200m crowns in Eugene, Oregon.
However, she is pitted against athletes who have also been outstanding in 2023. Among them are Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, the winner of the Berlin marathon and World marathon record holder.
Also among the five finalists is Netherlands superstar Femke Bol, who won the World 400m hurdles title in Budapest and set a new World indoor 400m record during the season.
Faith Kipyegon of Kenya, perhaps the favourite for the award, won World 1500m and 5000m titles in Budapest and set world records at 1500m, mile and 5000m.
Last, but certainly not least is the imperious Yulimar Rojas. The Venezuelan won the triple jump World title for a fourth time in Budapest and was also crowned the Diamond League champion in 2023.
The World Athletes of the Year will be announced on World Athletics’ platforms on 11 December, as part of the World Athletics Awards 2023.
The athletes were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics.
In what has been another memorable year for the sport, the nominations reflect some of the standout performances achieved at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, one-day meeting circuits, Label road races and other events around the world.
In August, Jackson, 29, won her second 200m title at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest where she also won silver medals in the 100m and 4x100m relay. She capped off her impressive season by winning Diamond League trophies in both 100m and 200m at the season-ending meet in Eugene, Oregon.
The impressive list of nominees also includes Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, winner of the Berlin marathon winner and who set the world marathon record this past season.
Femke Bol of the Netherlands won the 400m hurdles in Budapest and set a world indoor 400m record during the season.
The strong favourite to walk away with the award this year is Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, the World 1500m and 5000m champion, who set world records 1500m, mile and 5000m in 2023.
Japan’s Haruka Kitaguchi is the World champion at the javelin. She is also the Diamond League champion.
Also among the nominees is Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine who is the World champion and Diamond League champion at the high jump.
Spain’s Maria Perez is the World 20km and 35km race walk world champion, who established a new world record at the 35km race walk.
Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay is the World 10,000m champion, who won the Diamond League 5000m title with a new world record.
The USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson is the newly crowned World champion at 100m and bronze medallist at 200m.
Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas won her fourth consecutive world title at the triple jump and also added the Diamond League title to her extraordinary exploits during the season.
Bahrain’s Winfed Yavi is the 3000m steeplechase World champion, who also won the Diamond League title with a world-leading performance.
A three-way voting process will determine the finalists.
The World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family will cast their votes by email, while fans can vote online via the World Athletics social media platforms. Individual graphics for each nominee will be posted on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube this week; a 'like' on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or a retweet on X will count as one vote.
The World Athletics Council’s vote will count for 50 per cent of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s votes and the public votes will each count for 25 per cent of the final result.
Voting for the World Athletes of the Year closes at midnight on Saturday 28 October. At the conclusion of the voting process, five women and five men finalists will be announced by World Athletics on 13-14 November.
The winners will be revealed on World Athletics’ social media platforms on 11 December.
