2009 World Athletes Of The Year - Usain Bolt & Sanya Richards

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO -  Jamaica's Usain Bolt and the United States' Sanya Richards were named Male and Female Athletes Of The Year at the 2009 World Athletics Gala held at the Sporting Club in Monte-Carlo, Monaco last Sunday (November 22, 2009). For Sanya Richards, her incredible performances in the 400 metres track events this year won out over some of the other women finalists Yelena Isinbayeva (Russia), Valerie Vili (New Zealand), Blanka Vlasic (Croatia), and Anita Wlodarczyk (Poland).

Jamaican, Usain Bolt, who was named 2009 Male Athlete Of The Year holds the world record in the 100 metres (9.58 seconds) set in Berlin, Germany this year and also set the world record in the 200 metres this year (19.20 - rounded down to 19.19). Usain beat out the other outstanding male finalists Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia), Tyson Gay (United States), Steven Hooker (Australia), and Andreas Thorkildsen.

The World Athletics Award Gala was sanctioned by the IAAF (International Association Of Athletics Federations) and presided over by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.