2009 World Athletics Gala Logo (© IAAF.org)
MonteCarloThe worldwide Athletics family will gather for yet another prestigious celebration when the 2009 World Athletics Gala is held at the Salle des Etoiles of the Sporting Club d’Eté this Sunday 22 November.
Hosted by International Athletic Foundation (IAF) Honorary President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and IAF & IAAF President Lamine Diack, the World Athletics Gala will be highlighted by the announcements of the Male and the Female World Athlete of the Year 2009, with the awards presented live on stage.
Following a fantastic year for track and field and a superb edition of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin five men and five women are still in contention for the prestigious award.
World Athletes of the Year Finalists
Men
Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia
Usain Bolt, Jamaica
Tyson Gay, USA
Steven Hooker, Australia
Andreas Thorkildsen, Norway
Women
Yelena Isinbayeva, Russia
Sanya Richards, USA
Valerie Vili, New Zealand
Blanka Vlasic, Croatia
Anita Wlodarczyk, Poland
Busy weekend in Monaco
A two-day meeting of the IAAF Council, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November, will be the focus of a packed schedule surrounding the Gala with gatherings of various IAAF Commissions, the IAAF Executive Board and the IAF Council just a few of the meetings which will take place in the run-up to, and over the weekend.
IAAF