World Athletics Gala Logo (© c)
MonteCarlo Following the survey of the IAAF Family and the votes of the Internet fans, the IAAF has selected the three male and three female finalists who are still in the running to become the 2007 World Athlete of the Year.
Finalists are: (in alphabetical order)
Men
Tyson Gay USA
Haile Gebrselassie ETH
Liu Xiang CHN
Women
Meseret Defar ETH
Carolina Klüft SWE
Blanka Vlasic CRO
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34-year-old Haile Gebrselassie is the current World record holder for the 10km, 20km and Marathon on the road and the 20,000m and the hour run on the track. The Ethiopian is also a 4-time World champion and 2-time Olympic champion at 10,000m.
Haile Gebrselassie’s credentials
o Has set the one hour World record with a 20,000m World record en route
o Has lowered the Marathon World record by 29 seconds
o Has made a comeback to the track with a sub-27 min 10,000m
24-year-old Carolina Klüft is the current World champion for the women’s Heptathlon. She has improved the European record to 7032 points and is now the second best performer of all-time. The Swedish all-round athlete is also the reigning Olympic champion, and European indoor and outdoor titleholder.
Carolina Klüft’s credentials
o Has won the IAAF World Championships in Osaka
o Has set a new European Heptathlon record and is now the second best performer of all-time
o Has won the European Indoor Championships
The winners of the 2007 World Athlete of the Year Awards will be announced live, on stage, during the 2007 World Athletics Gala, which will take place in Monaco, on 25 November 2007.
