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American sprint legend Michael Johnson has continued his criticism over what he terms a flawed and disrespectful approach by World Athletics to split the 2023 Athlete of the Year awards
Former Olympic champion and record holder Michael Johnson has hit out at World Athletics over their decision to split the 2023 World Athlete of the Year Awards into three categories.
World Athletics split this year’s award into track, field, and out of stadia with three of the five finalists being awarded in both the women’s and men’s categories, going against the norm when one man and woman have been crowned the World Athlete of the Year.
The decision left the finalists and observers surprised with some of them such as world 100m and 200m champion Noah Lyles voicing their discontent.
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08:00 - 13.12.2023
ATHLETICS American legend Michael Johnson left puzzled by World Athletics’ Awards decision
Johnson is puzzled by the decision to name six different individuals as World Athletes of the Year for the first time in history.
Lyles said on Thursday he was left feeling that their achievements did not matter when the award was split and also called out the athletics governing body for not informing the nominees and the voting public beforehand, something Johnson agrees with.
“I’m sure that was not their intent [to water down athletes’ achievements], but it is a consistent flawed approach by WA [World Athletics] that more is always better,” said Johnson.
“It devalues the AOY [Athlete of the Year] to have more than one AOY. And the reactive and surprise decision disregards the will of the fans and lacks respect for the athletes.”
It is the second time Johnson, a two-time winner of the award, is reacting to the debacle after saying this year’s wards left him puzzled shortly after the gala.
Lyles, crowned Male Athlete of the Year (Track), had voiced his displeasure shortly after Monday’s gala in Monaco, before going into details two days later.
“I believe I found the right words for what happened at the AOY awards. When they decided to split the award without telling any of us, including the fans that voted. It made me feel that none of our achievements were good enough to be AOY,” he posted online.
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06:32 - 15.12.2023
ATHLETICS Noah Lyles doubles down on his criticism of 2023 World Athlete of the Year Awards debacle
American sprint king Noah Lyles has continued his criticism over how World Athletics handled the 2023 World Athlete of the Year Awards.
“I’m guessing that was not WA’s goal but that is how it made me feel. I do believe that there should be more awards included in the event but not with exclusion of the AOY award.
“I wish they would have waited until next year to change the format of the awards or not change it in the middle of the process. I also wish World Athletics would have had a conversation with the athletes so we could come up with a more structured plan.”
Last year’s winner Mondo Duplantis was awarded Male Athlete of the Year (Field) while Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum was named male Athlete of the Year (Out of Stadia).
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16:00 - 15.12.2023
ATHLETICS Faith Kipyegon reveals who she dedicates World Athlete of the Year Award to
Multiple world and Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon has given reasons why her 2023 World Athlete of the Year Award is dedicated to all middle-distance runners in the world
The women’s category had Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon winning the ‘track’ award while Yulimar Rojas and Tigist Assefa were handed women’s field and out of stadia awards respectively.
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