Sprint King Usain Bolt won the IAAF Athlete of the Year award for 2012.
This is the fourth time the Jamaican sprint legend is taking home the award. Bolt won the title this year over the likes of Kenyan athlete David Rudisha, and American hurdler Aries Merritt. He previously won the prestigious award in 2008, 2009, and 2011.
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Usain Bolt successfully defended his Olympic 100 and 200 meter titles at the London summer Olympic Games in July.
Usain Bolt thanked his coach, Glen Mills, and his fans who supported him in their numbers at the games.
“For me this is a great honor to win a fourth time,” Usain Bolt said. “I really worked hard and I was really focused this year. This season was one of my toughest. I had my ups and downs, even though we don’t like to talk about them.”
“Fans were there in the stadium from 10 in the morning, I had never seen anything like that,” Bolt added.
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United States 200 meter runner Allyson Felix won the award for the women category.
“Nine years ago I was here with Allyson, now I am back, that means I am getting old, which is slightly worrying, but I will continue to work hard,” Usain Bolt said jokingly.
Usain Bolt currently holds the world record for the 100 and 200 meter.
