Following field events last week, World Athletics unveiled the list of nominees for the title of World Athlete of the Year in track events on Monday, October 21. The selection includes six men and six women, all at least once Olympic champions at the Paris 2024 Games. Unsurprisingly, the United States has the largest share of the casting, with five nominees - two women and three men -, ahead of Kenya, cited three times (two women and one man). On the women's side, the title of world athlete of the year in track events will be played out between Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia – 60 m and 100 m), Beatrice Chebet (Kenya – 5.000 and 10.000 m), Faith Kipyegon (Kenya – 1.500 m), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (United States – 400 m hurdles and 4x400 m), Marileidy Paulino (Dominican Republic – 400 m), and Gabby Thomas (United States – 200 m, 4x100 m and 4x400 m). Three names stand out: Beatrice Chebet for her Olympic double 5.000/10.000 m and her world record on the longer of the two distances; Faith Kipyegon for her new Olympic title on 1.500 m and a world record on the same distance; and finally Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, gold medalist in the 400m hurdles, breaking the world record, then also crowned in the 4x400m. In the men's event, the trophy will be contested between Rai Benjamin (United States – 400m hurdles and 4x400m), Grant Holloway (United States – 60m hurdles and 110m hurdles), Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway – 3.000m and 5.000m), Noah Lyles (United States – 100m and 200m), Letsile Tebogo (Botswana (200m), and Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya – 800m). It is difficult to identify a favourite, even if the Americans Rai Benjamin and Grant Holloway appear to be a cut above the competition. Voting to determine the two finalists has been open since Monday 21 October on World Athletics' social networks. It will close on 27 October.
