Bolt & Richards named IAAF world athletes, 2009

Monte Carlo, Nov 24: Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt has won his second consecutive IAAF world athlete title for his startling performance in 100m and 200m finals in Berlin along with American women's 400 metres world champion Sanya Richards.

Calling Bolt as the most brilliant runner in both specialities, International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Lamine Diack said that Bolt has raised his performance to unbelievable level.

"We need stars in the sport. He brings a lot of prestige to our sport and is one of the best-known people on the planet," Diack said.

Bolt also had words of appreciation from Richards, who has previously won the ward in 2006, and called him to be her inspiration behind winning the 400 meters global award.

"I realised when I watched Usain Bolt compete and a lot of the other athletes that had great success that they were having so much fun. I was so focused on winning, the medals and the money and everything that came with being a champion that I forgot the simple enjoyment and fun of track and field," she said.

Talking about his experience Bolt said, "It's been an amazing year for me. I had to refocus my goals and put in a lot of hard work. I did extremely well and I'm proud of myself."

The awards were decided based on the votes casts by nearly 1,800 athletes, officials and journalists.

OneIndia News