Usain Bolt, from Jamaica, along with two American athletes were nominated yesterday for the 2009 Athlete of the Year award by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
Male Finalists are: (in alphabetical order)
- Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia
- Usain Bolt, Jamaica
- Tyson Gay, USA
- Steven Hooker, Australia
- Andreas Thorkildsen, Norway
Usain Bolt was the 2008 IAAF Athlete of the Year who became the world record holder by finishing the 100 metre race in 9:58 seconds which he followed by finishing the 200 metre race in 19:19 seconds. He completed these feats at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Watch his historic finish in the video below.
American nominee Tyson Gay completed his fastest time of 9.69 for the 100 metre race in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Female Finalists are: (in alphabetical order)
- Yelena Isinbayeva, Russia
- Sanya Richards, USA
- Valerie Vili, New Zealand
- Blanka Vlasic, Croatia
- Anita Wlodarczyk, Poland
The top American woman contender, Sanya Richards, finished the 400 metre race in 49.00 seconds at the 2009 IAAF World Athletics Championships is Berlin.
The IAAF Athlete of the Year nominations are made from a compilation of votes from IAAF members, leading athletes and representatives, staff members, and selected members of the International Press.
The winners of the award will be announced on November 22, 2009 at the 2009 World Athlete of the Year Awards in Monaco.
For more info: International Association of Athletics Federation news
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Nancy Lancaster is a Sacramento run-walker and organizer of the Running Adventures Travel Club and Five Tool Fitness Running Club. She is also a Realtor for Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, CA. You can email Nancy at nancy@nancylancaster.com