World Athletics Gala 2002 (© IAF)
With just over two weeks to go until the World Athletics Gala takes place at Monte Carlo’s Sporting Club on Sunday, 17 November, we continue our review of the 20 star athletes (10 men & 10 women) who are in contention for the title of Athlete of the Year.
The twenty names were chosen by the International Nominations Panel of Athletics Experts, convened by the International Athletic Foundation (IAF), with the final choice of the Male and female Athletes of the Year being made by the Foundation Council, and the decision announced live on the stage at the Gala.
In our alphabetically conducted review of the contestants, we have so far examined the merits of, the men - Jonathan Edwards (GBR, Triple Jump), Hicham El Guerrouj (MAR, 1500m/ 1 Mile), Robert Fazekas (HUN, Discus), Konstadinos Kenteris (GRE, 200m), and the women – Berhane Adere (ETH, 3000m/5000m), Süreyya Ayhan (TUR, 1500m), Kajsa Bergqvist (SWE, High Jump) and Gail Devers (USA, 100m Hurdles).
Now we continue with the competitive credentials of the next four star names –
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2002 - MALE
Khalid Khannouchi (USA) Marathon (30y)
Improved his own World Marathon best in an absorbing tussle with Paul Tergat and Haile Gebrselassie to win April’s London Marathon in 2:05:38. Then in October, Khannouchi returned to Chicago, the course on which he had set his first world best in 1999, and clocked 2:05:56, the fourth quickest time in history.
Wilson Kipketer (DEN) 800m (29y)
The World record holder who has struggled to recapture his great form of 1997 since contracting Malaria over four years ago, made an exciting return to the highest levels of competition, clocking a world-leading 1:42.34 in his final race of the year in Rieti. Over the season, he scored eight out of nine wins outdoors, including the European title at 800m, a victory, which in his own words ‘removed the scar’ of his defeat in 1998.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2002 - FEMALE
Svetlana Feofanova (RUS) Pole Vault (22y)
The diminutive Russian recorded an impressive tally of 17 wins out of 19 Pole vault competitions, including both the European titles indoors and out. Feofanova majestically rewrote the record books setting five World records during a spectacular indoor campaign and then two European outdoor records in the summer, culminating in a world leading 4.78. She ended her year placing second in wet conditions at the IAAF World Cup.
Debbie Ferguson (BAH) 100m/200m (26y)
She completed the first women’s Commonwealth Games sprint double since Merlene Ottey in 1990 and then added a third gold medal, via the sprint relay, for good measure. Ferguson placed second in the IAAF Grand Prix Final at 100m but at the IAAF World Cup in Madrid she went one better at 200m, running a beautifully smooth race to finish well clear of European champion Muriel Hurtis. She also anchored the Americas sprint relay team home to gold in Madrid.
