2009 World Athletics Gala Logo (© IAAF.org)
MonteCarloAs five male athletes are still in the running to become the 2009 World Athlete of the Year, let’s take a look back at each of their individual major achievements for which they have duly been voted for…
Finalists are: (in alphabetical order)
Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia
Usain Bolt, Jamaica
Tyson Gay, USA
Steven Hooker, Australia
Andreas Thorkildsen, Norway
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Kenenisa Bekele
27 years old
o Became the first man ever to win a 5000/10,000m double at the World Championships
o Has set a Championship record 26:46.31 in the longer event in Berlin
o Has won his third share of the ÅF Golden League Jackpot
o Has set the fastest times in the world this year at 5000 and 10,000m
o Remained undefeated at 3000, 5000 and 10,000m through 2009
Usain Bolt
23 years old
o Won three gold medals at the 100,200 and 4x100m at the Berlin World Championships
o Set two World records 9.58 at 100m and 19.19 at 200m in Berlin
o Won the World Athletics Final 200m in a competition record 19.68
o Has run 5 times under 9.90 and 3 times under 19.60
o Remained undefeated in finals at 100, 200 and 400m throughout 2009
Tyson Gay
27 years old
o Won the 100m silver medal at the Berlin World Championships
o Has become the second fastest 100m runner of all time at 9.69
o Has improved the American record three times and run 6 times under 9.95
o Won the World Athletics Final 100m in 9.88
o Has become the third fastest 200m of all-time at 19.58
Steve Hooker
27 years old
o Won the Berlin World Championships Pole Vault through injury taking only 2 jumps
o Has become the second highest pole vaulter of all-time with a 6.06 indoor clearance
o Has cleared the highest bar in 16 years
o Has jumped 3 times over 6 metres (indoors)
o Has won 8 out of 10 competitions (indoors and outdoors) in 2009
Andreas Thorkildsen
27 years old
o Won the Berlin World Championships Javelin Throw gold medal
o Has established the year’s farthest throw at 91.28m
o Has thrown 5 times over 88 metres in 2009
o Won the World Athletics Final at 87.75m
o Has won 9 out of 13 competitions in 2009
The winners of the 2009 World Athlete of the Year Awards will be announced live, on stage, during the 2009 World Athletics Gala, which will take place in Monaco, on 22 November 2009.
