Van Niekerk, Farah or Barshim for Male AOY, Ayana, Stefanidi and Thiam for Female AOY, at IAAF Athlete of the Year

RunBlogRun opines #1: The men and women picked for the final three candidates for IAAF Athlete of the Year, will be named on Friday, November 25. RunBlogRun also heard some grumbling from media not understanding if, as in past, they would even be allowed in Gala evening. Kind of a strange one, what does that say about the IAAF’s concern about media?

MONACO (MON): On Friday a new male IAAF Athlete of the Year will be announced. From the three finalists Wayde Van Niekerk, Mo Farah and Mutaz Essa Barshim no one so far had this title won. It is also marking a post Bolt era. The Jamaican sprinter won this award since 2008 six times. Interestingly a high jumper also never got the award (the celebrations started in 1988), last time a long distance runner got it was in 2005 by Kenenisa Bekele and a 400 m champion was the winner last time in 1999 (Michael Johnson). Among the three women finalists Almaz Ayana is last year winner, but Ekaterini Stefanidi and Nafi Thiam would be newcomers. Pole vault winner was last time in 2008 Yelena Isinbayeva and combined eventer back in 1994 (Jackie Joyner-Kersee). The winners will be announced on Friday evening.

RunBlogRun opines #2: Some great candidates. Although, I am surprised no American candidates made the cut ( I look at Emma Coburn, Sam Kendricks as two who made sense). But, in looking at the six candidates, I really see the arguement for all six of them.