As Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt was named IAAF Male World Athlete of the Year on Friday night, South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk said he was still delighted with his 2016 season, after being shortlisted among the finalists.
The awards were made at a gala function in Monaco by world body IAAF.
Consolation for Van Niekerk was that last month he was named Best Male Athlete of the Rio Olympics by the Association of National Olympic Committees in Doha, Qatar.
Bolt earned treble gold at the Rio Olympics, achieving the feat for the third straight edition of the Games.
‘It’s definitely been a blessed season for me, and an amazing year of growth,’ said Van Niekerk, who set a 400m world record of 43.03 seconds to win Olympic gold in August. ‘It’s been a confidence booster, if I can put it that way, because I feel like I’ve grown year after year.’
Van Niekerk paid credit to Bolt, who had previously said he would call time on his career after next year’s IAAF World Championships in London.
‘It’s bittersweet knowing that a legend like Usain Bolt is on the verge of retiring,’ said Van Niekerk. ‘We’ve all taken so much motivation and inspiration from him.’
Bolt received the accolade for the sixth time, getting the nod ahead of Van Niekerk and British distance runner Mo Farah.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) congratulated the Bloemfontein speedster for his efforts this season.
‘To be nominated for such a prestigious award is a tremendous honour, and we are proud of Wayde for achieving all he has in 2016,’ said ASA president Aleck Skhosana.
‘We thank him for helping put South African athletics on the map, and we wish him well for next year and all other seasons following.’