European Athletics Awards
European athletics is in a good place with some outstanding European athletes this year, with Armand Duplantis named European Athlete of the Year for men and Jaroslava Mahuchych for women at last weekend’s awards.
I was in Paris (Diamond League) when Yaroslava broke that long-standing world record. I need more space to list the events I’ve been in. Mondo broke the world record. Despite the achievements of Kiley Hodgkinson and Femke Ball, it’s hard to argue with Jaroslava’s nomination.Has there ever been an athlete who has consistently achieved such excellence?
The women’s rising star was Adriana Vilagos, who was runner-up at the 2024 Diamond League finals and won silver at the European Championships in 2021 and 2022.
The men’s rising star was Nils Laros (Netherlands), who clocked 3:29.54 for sixth place in the 2024 Olympic 1500m.
A very special award, the Team Spirit Recognition Award, went to Team Italy To host the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, where Italy won 24 medals (11 gold). The Coaching Award went to Dragutin Topic (SRB) and Derdi Vilagos (SRB)
