Hassan and Tola Poised to Dominate Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year Honors

Hassan and Tola Poised to Dominate Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year Honors

The 2024 World Athletics Awards spotlight the world’s most outstanding out-of-stadium athletes, with nominees who have set new records, claimed prestigious titles, and delivered inspiring performances.

In a year that featured unforgettable moments at the Paris Olympics, the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, and major marathons, the nominees for Women’s and Men’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year reflect a roster of world-class athletes who have left their mark on the sport.

Women’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year Nominees

The women’s category includes an array of talent, each athlete demonstrating exceptional skill in long-distance running and road racing. This year’s nominees are as follows:

1. Sutume Asefa Kebede (Ethiopia) – Kebede secured a dominant win at the Tokyo Marathon and recorded the second-fastest marathon time of the year. Her achievements this season have made her a rising force in women’s marathon running.
2. Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya)—Known for her endurance and speed, Chepngetich set a world marathon record this year and won the Chicago Marathon, showcasing her ability to perform under intense competition.
3. Sifan Hassan (Netherlands)—Hassan, the Olympic marathon champion, captured global attention for her victory and set an Olympic marathon record. Her versatility in distance running is unmatched, and her historic attempt to compete in multiple track and road events highlights her exceptional talent.

   

4. Tigist Ketema (Ethiopia)—By winning the Berlin and Dubai Marathons, Ketema has established herself as a double threat in the marathon circuit this season, proving her consistency across significant races.
5. Agnes Jebet Ngetich (Kenya) – With world records in the 5km and 10km distances and a world-leading time in the half marathon, Ngetich has stamped her authority on shorter road race distances, setting a new benchmark in speed.

While each of these women has made tremendous strides, Hassan stands out. Not only did she become the Olympic marathon champion, but she also attempted the near-impossible by competing in a range of events. At the Paris Olympics, Hassan entered the 5,000-meter, 10,000-meter, and marathon feats that require a unique blend of speed, endurance, and grit.

Her attempt to medal in all three showed how versatile the Dutch athlete is. This triple challenge is rarely seen in athletics and has cemented her as one of history’s most adaptable endurance runners. Her feat has only been rivaled by her previous achievement at the Tokyo Olympics three years earlier, where she won bronze in the 1,500m and gold in 5,000 and 10,000.

Hassan’s accomplishments place her alongside the legendary endurance performances of Emil Zatopek, who won gold in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon at the 1952 Olympics, and Paavo Nurmi, who claimed five golds in 1924. With these historic feats, Hassan has solidified her endurance running legacy and deserves strong consideration for the Women’s Out-of-Stadium Athlete of the Year award.

Men’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year Nominees

The competition is equally intense on the men’s side, with each nominee bringing something extraordinary. The nominees are:

1. Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia) – This year, Kejelcha set a world record in the half marathon and led the 10km distance, showcasing his powerful strides in middle-distance and long-distance events.
2. Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda)—Known for his tenacity, Kiplimo won gold at the World Cross Country Championships and the Valencia 10km race, displaying remarkable speed and resilience.
3. Benson Kipruto (Kenya) – Kipruto earned the bronze medal in the Olympic marathon and emerged victorious at the Tokyo Marathon, confirming his status as a critical player in men’s marathon running.
4. Brian Daniel Pintado (Ecuador) – Pintado made history by winning gold in the Olympic 20km race walk and securing silver in the marathon race walk mixed relay, illustrating his skill and endurance in race walking.
5. Tamirat Tola (Ethiopia) – Tola’s journey to Olympic marathon champion has been marked by grit and dedication. Despite not being selected for the Ethiopian team, he was later chosen as a replacement, a role he took seriously. His preparation in the face of adversity paid off when he broke the Olympic record with an impressive time, solidifying his reputation as a top marathoner.

   

Among the nominees, Tola stands out from the pack. Despite almost missing the opportunity to compete at this year’s Olympics, Tola demonstrated immense dedication by training rigorously in Ethiopia before his selection. When I called up, he was ready. In the Paris Olympic marathon, he led the race with an aggressive pace, using his experience and resilience to outlast competitors in warm conditions. His victory, achieved in an Olympic record time, represents one of the crowning achievements of his career.

Often overlooked, he has proved himself on one of the sport’s biggest stages. His success speaks to his mental and physical preparation, especially considering he was on standby until the last minute. His record-breaking performance at the Olympics has made him a prime candidate for the Men’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year.