Candidates for athlete of the year announced

pconn062

http://www.iaaf.org/news/press-release/iaaf-announces-names-of-candidates-for-2013-w

Bondarenko and Aregawi get my vote!

ThePiedPiper

Have you got a vote PConn062?

Most likely winners will be Fraser-Pryce and Farah probably. To be fair, winning double gold at the WCs at 5k/10k is a big deal, so hard to look fast Mo. The lack of serious competition for Bolt, and the fact that he's well shy of his own high standards this year probably goes against him.

I'd personally love to have seen Jeptoo on the list for the females, her performances this year were absolutely immense. Particularly, the Great North Run really was one of the best performances I've ever seen, the way she attacked in mid-race was incredible, reducing the two Ethiopan legends to nothing. But, I suppose, not featuring at the WCs went against her.

wrstan

Anyone else surprised not to see Kiprotich in the top 10?

I would've thought he definitely merited making the short list!

notsofast

Bondarenko and Adams for me. Time for the field eventers to take centre stage!

Chivito550

If Bolt wins this again then this award is no more than a PR exercise. He should never have won in 2011, and even last year he wasn't the obvious pick. Bondarenko for the men, and hard to look past Hejnova in the women's. Complete dominance.

woodchopper

I agree with the womens choice. As for the men only one man broke a world record and thats Wilson Kipsang. It would be a sad day for Athletics if someone who jumps over a poll for a living wins the award.

Pherekydes

woodchopper wrote: »

I agree with the womens choice. As for the men only one man broke a world record and thats Wilson Kipsang. It would be a sad day for Athletics if someone who jumps over a poll for a living wins the award.

The award is for athlete of the year. Kipsang is merely a runner. And Bondarenko jumps over a lath, not a poll (or pole).

I say give it to the two discus throwers.

notsofast

Pherekydes wrote: »

The award is for athlete of the year. Kipsang is merely a runner. And Bondarenko jumps over a lath, not a poll (or pole).

I say give it to the two discus throwers.

Don't know what criteria are used in this selection. It's difficult to see how you can compare the achievements of a sprinter, a marathon runner, a high jumper and a thrower though. Suspect it's a bit like Chivito says, a PR Exercise.

RayCun

Why don't they just look up everyone in the IAAF tables and the people with the highest scores are the winners?

Chivito550

Well as I suspected, this "award" is nothing more than a publicity stunt. Give the award to Bolt, that will grab a few column inches and keep some money coming in. The media like the sound of Bolt winning for the 5th time in 6 years more than some Ukrainian high jumper! It really is a complete farce.

2008 and 2009 I fully agree with him receiving the award. I can even accept 2012 (though I believe Rudisha deserved it) but giving it to him in 2011 (a false start in the 100 and a 19.4 victory in the 200) and this year (9.7 high and 19.6ish victories) is ridiculous!

And to add insult to injury the women's prize goes to another 100m runner (playing to the masses of course here) in Shelly-Anne!

How depressing that in a year of Jamaica coming under severe scrutiny for disgraceful attitudes to anti-doping, the IAAF go and give their showpiece awards to 2 people who can't even give a proper answer to their views on lifetime bans for drug cheats!

End of rant!

Getonwithit

' the world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because if those who look on and do nothing' Einstein
Tweeted this morning by Dan Pfaff US coach who was central to GB efforts in Olympics.
Can't help but feel he had this farce in mind! Jamacia could leave us with a lance sized hole in the sport.