The pair both made history at the Olympics and won at the annual World Awards in Monaco.
Letsile Tebogo and Sifan Hassan were named sportspersons of the year.
The pair were honored at the annual World Awards in Monaco (December 1) after a whirlwind season.
Tebogo became Botswana’s first-ever Olympic champion with 200m gold in the French capital, setting an African record of 19.46, a time that moved him to fifth on the all-time list by more than half a lap.
The 21-year-old then followed that up by helping Botswana’s men’s 4x400m team secure an Olympic silver medal behind the USA.
Thanksgiving (Getty)
During the season, Tebogo dipped under 20 seconds in the 200m nine times, showing remarkable consistency throughout his campaign.
“It’s amazing to know that the fans are always there for us athletes,” he said. “It’s been a great year and it means a lot.
“It’s not just about the team around you, there are a lot of fans who really want us to win something great for the continent. It was a real surprise to hear my name called because I didn’t expect it.”
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Meanwhile, Hasan became the first female athlete in history to win medals in the 5,000m, 10,000m and marathon at the same Olympics.
After bronze medals in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, the 31-year-old won a stunning gold medal over 26.2 miles, beating then-world record holder Tigst Assefai around the Paris course.
Only the legendary Emil Zatopek, who won gold in all three events at the 1952 Helsinki Games, has achieved that feat.
“Thank you to the fans, to everyone who voted,” Hassan said. “I never thought I would win this game. It was crazy. It’s not just me, all the athletes have been great. I’m really grateful. What else can I say?”
Sifan Hasan (Getty)
Both Hasan and Tebogo have also won awards in their respective disciplines, with the former being named Sportsperson of the Year and Hasan the Women’s Outfielder.
Sembo Almaiu and Mattia Furlani secured the Rising Stars awards, given to junior athletes who broke the boundaries during the season.
“At the end of a stellar year for athletics, we are delighted to reveal our list of the world’s best athletes of the year, both in their respective disciplines and overall,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has redefined what is possible in terms of athletic performance.
“Our 2024 cohort set new standards in height, speed and distance, including six world records and a number of Olympic and national records between them.
“Congratulations to all our award winners and all the athletes nominated for this honor and thank them for inspiring us all with their performances this year.”
Seb Coe (Getty)
Here is the full list of winners.
Women’s World Sportsperson of the Year: Sifan Hasan
Men’s World Sportsperson of the Year: Letsile Tebogo
Women’s Track: Sydney McLaughlin-Levron
Women’s field: Jaroslava Mahuchych
Women outside the stadium. Sifan Hasan
Men’s Track: Letsile Thanksgiving
Men’s field: Mondo Duplantis
Men outside the stadium. Tamirat Tola
Women’s Rising Star: Sembo Almayev
Men’s Rising Star: Mattia Furlani
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