News17 Nov 2010


Felix and Oliver win 2010 Jesse Owens Awards

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David Oliver dips to 12.93 sec in Zurich - Samsung Diamond League (© Getty Images)

Allyson Felix and David Oliver were named the winners of the 2010 Jesse Owens Award, the sport's highest annual accolade in the USA.

Felix, a Samsung Diamond League Ambassador and three-time World 200m champion, won the award for the third time in her career while Oliver, this past season's premiere high hurdler, is a first time winner.

Both Felix and Oliver are finalists for the IAF World Athlete of the Year, who will be announced at the World Athletics Gala in Monaco on Sunday, 21 November.

“USA Track & Field is proud to congratulate Allyson and David on their amazing seasons and being named the winners of the 2010 Jesse Owens Awards,” said USATF President and Chairman of the Board Stephanie Hightower. “All of us are anxious to watch Allyson, David and the rest of our great athletes as they look forward to next year’s World Outdoor Championships in Daegu, and the 2012 Olympic Games in London.”

Felix won the inaugural Samsung Diamond Race titles in both the women’s 200m and 400m, the only double champion to emerge from this series of the world's finest single-day competitions. Her fastest 200m times last season of 22.03 and 22.14 were the second and third fastest times in the world, and her fastest 400m time of 50.15 from her win in Doha was the second-fastest by an American.

“Winning the Jesse Owens Award is a distinct privilege and to be recognized as the best American female track and field athlete is truly humbling,” said Felix. “I hope that my winning this award will inspire young girls to follow their dreams.”

Felix, who won a gold medal in the 4x400m relay at the 2010 World Indoor Championships in Doha, posted major wins in the 200m in Paris, Stockholm, London and Brussels, and 400m wins in Eugene, London, Doha and Zurich. She also displayed her prowess in the 100m this season, winning the national title in June.

Oliver, the 2008 Olympic Games 110m Hurdles bronze medallist, turned in one of the most prolific seasons ever by a high hurdler, which culminated with him becoming the #3 performer all-time in his event.

Oliver became the world’s best high hurdler in 2010 by winning nearly everything in sight and posting the five fastest times in the world (and 12 of the top 15 times globally) during the outdoor season, which included his pending national record 12.89 clocking from his win in Paris on 16 July. Oliver’s performance was the fourth-fastest time ever, and made him the third-fastest 110m hurdler of all-time trailing only World record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba and former World record holder Liu Xiang of China.

Oliver’s amazing season began indoors with his runner-up finish in the 60m Hurdles at the USA Indoor Championships.  He went on to post his personal best time and the fourth-fastest indoor clocking by an American that season of 7.44 when he won the bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships in Doha.

As the temperatures got hotter in 2010 so did Oliver, who captured the USA Outdoor title for the second time in his career with a then personal best clocking of 12.93.  The following weekend he equalled the then American record of 12.90 (set by Dominique Arnold in 2006) at the Nike Prefontaine Classic in Eugene.

Oliver was unbeaten in 15 finals races during the outdoor season and won the inaugural Samsung Diamond Race in the 110m Hurdles.

“Winning this award is one of the most outstanding accomplishments I have ever achieved,” said Oliver. “When I look at the past winners of this award, and now I can add myself to that great legacy, is something I don't take for granted. I would like to thank the fans and the media for thinking so highly of my accomplishments this past season, enabling me to win this prestigious award.”

Established in 1981, the Jesse Owens Award is USA Track & Field's highest accolade, presented annually to the outstanding U.S. male and female track and field performers.  The Award is named after National Track & Field Hall of Famer and worldwide track and field icon Jesse Owens, who won gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and long jump at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, while at all times conducting himself with grace and dignity. With his remarkable performances, Owens forever destroyed Adolf Hitler's notions of Aryan supremacy.

This year's awards will be presented on Saturday, 4 December at the Jesse Owens Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Va. The event is held in conjunction with USA Track & Field's 2010 Annual Meeting.

USA Track & Field for the IAAF

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