by Larry Eder
Renaud Lavillenie, Valerie Adams,
IAAF Male and Female World Athlete of the Year,
photo by PhotoRun.net
SHOT PUT QUEEN AND AIRLAVILLENIE
MONACO (MON): For first time ever female thrower is the World Athlete of the Year, the New Zealand shot put queen Valerie Adams. She was awarded the title along with 100 000 USD prize money at the traditional World Athletics Gala in Monaco at an non-traditional place, Chapiteau de Fontvieille. „I am humble and honoured to get this award. It is very special for me, my country, all the throwers. First of all I want to thank you my coach Jean-Pierre Egger,” said Adams. She was unbeaten this season and continues with the current longest winning streak of 56 competitions. Other finalists were Genzebe Dibaba and Dafne Schippers. French Pole Vault flying artist Renaud Lavillenie won after European trophy also the World Trophy as first male pole vaulter and only second jumper since Jonathan Edwards in 1995. „It is a dream come true for me, I could not expect more. Next year I want to win the World Championships gold as I do not have it in my collection.” He plans fully compete already indoors, whereby Adams after two recent surgeries thinks about return in June. Other male finalists were Mutaz Essa Barshim and Dennis Kimetto.
Valerie Adams, 2014 IAAF’s Women World Athlete of the Year,
photo by PhotoRun.net
(Editor’s comments: I have not been so pleased in picks on awards in years! First, the US picks Meb and Jenny, and now, two of our favorite global athletes, Valerie Adams and Renaud Lavillenie are Female and Male athletes of the year. Bravo!
Valerie had a tough season, even thought 56 straight wins don’t show it! Fighting pain in each competition, Valerie kept her sense of humor (which makes press conferences with her a riot, put her and Greg Rutherford together and you have a lot of fun. )
Renaud Lavillenie, is, well, a superstar as well. His vaulting is superb. His ability to comprehend his event is fascinating, and his athleticism is, well, what makes him the French Bubka.
I have to say, my respect for Renaud went up with his disappointment in Gothenburg in 2013. He knew that he would go higher, and in 2014, in one short month, he did!)
