Noah Lyles and Faith Kipyegon named track athletes of the year

AFP | American Noah Lyles and Faith Kipyegon of Kenya were named track athletes of the year, World Athletics announced in Monaco on Monday.

Lyles was recognized for the 3 gold medals he won at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary this year.

Kipyegon clinched the women’s track prize after securing 3 world records in middle and long distance running.

“The depth of talent and the outstanding performances in our sport this year more than justify the expansion of the World Athletics Awards to recognise the accomplishments by these athletes across a range of disciplines,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.

“Our World Athletes of the Year alone have achieved seven world records between them in 2023, as well as a host of world titles and major wins, so it is only fitting that they be recognized as the athletes of the year in their respective fields,” he added. World Athletes of the Year for 2023:

• Women’s track: Faith Kipyegon (Kenya)
• Women’s field: Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela)
• Women’s out of stadia: Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia)
• Men’s track: Noah Lyles (USA)
• Men’s field: Armand “Mondo” Duplantis (Sweden)
• Men’s out of stadia: Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya)