The 12 Athlete of the Year finalists have been confirmed, as the countdown to the World Athletics Awards 2025 continues.
Recently crowned world champions Mondo Duplantis, Noah Lyles and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone are among the shortlisted nominees for this year’s Awards.
Like last year, there will be three separate awards for women and three for men, recognising the athletes of the year for track, field and out-of-stadium events. There will also be men’s and women’s awards for an overall World Athlete of the Year.
The World Athletics Council’s vote will count for 50% of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s votes and social media votes will each count for 25% of the result.
The 2025 World Athletics Awards also includes the Rising Star awards, Coaching Achievement Award, Woman of the Year, Photograph of the Year, Member Federation Award and President’s Award.
The nominations reflect some of the standout performances achieved during another memorable year for the sport, which peaked with the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
The top two athletes in each category – track, field and out of stadium – have been chosen from the first round of voting, which comprised votes from the World Athletics Council, World Athletics Family and a public vote on social media. One of the two athletes will take the crown in their category.
A final round of voting – cast by fans of the sport – will now take place between 4-9 November to help select the overall women’s and men’s World Athlete of the Year.
Finalists
Women’s track athlete of the year
Femke Bol (NED) – world 400m hurdles champion
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) – world 400m champion
Men’s track athlete of the year
Noah Lyles (USA) – world 200m champion
Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) – world 800m champion
Women’s field athlete of the year
Tara Davis-Woodhall (USA) – world long jump champion
Nicola Olyslagers (AUS) – world high jump champion
Men’s field athlete of the year
Mondo Duplantis (SWE) – world pole vault champion
Mattia Furlani (ITA) – world long jump champion
Women’s out of stadium athlete of the year
Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) – world marathon champion
Maria Perez (ESP) – world 20km and 35km race walk champion
Men’s out of stadium athlete of the year
Sabastian Sawe (KEN) – London Marathon and Berlin Marathon champion
Alphonce Simbu (TAN) – world marathon champion
The Athletes of the Year in each category, as well as the overall winners, will be revealed at a ceremony in Monaco on Sunday 30 November as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025.
