Richards; Wariner receive 2006 Jesse Owens Award
Posted December 6th, 2006 at 2:15 PM by Jennifer Lipman
Section: News & Results, Track & Field
Sanya Richards and Jeremy Wariner were chosen to receive the coveted Jesse Owens Award for 2006. These two outstanding athletes had an incredible year; going undefeated in the 400 meters.
The Jesse Owens Award was started in 1981 and is awarded annually to the most outstanding male and female track & field performers of the year. The winners are chosen through ballot voting by members of the U.S. Track & Field media.
Sanya Richards, only 21 years old, had a year that most can only dream of. Not only did she go undefeated in the 400 meter, but she was also named female World Athlete of the Year. In addition, Richards shattered the 22 year-old 400m world record of 48.83 seconds (previously held by Valerie Brisco) at the IAAF World Cup in Athens, on September 16 with a time of 48.70
Over the past year, Richards holds the five fastest female 400m times and has wonder last 15 consecutive races. Richards also on added the 200m World Cup title to her increasingly crowded resume.
The IAAF quoted Richards as saying:
I am extremely honored to be selected as the Jesse Owens award winner . . . I admire all his accomplishments and am excited to be accepting an award in memory of him. I visited his room at the Berlin Olympic Village this summer and I find it so gratifying to end the 2006 season with this amazing award.
Other female nominees for this years Jesse Owens award were LaShinda Demus, Deena Kastor, Ginnie Powell, and Kim Kreiner.
Jeremy Wariner, 22 (who also trains with Richards) had an equally tantalzing year on the track. He also went undefeated in the 400m for the 2006 season; claiming a stake along side Richards in the IAAF’s Golden League Series. Wariner broke the 44 second mark three times and also claimed ten of the top twelve 400m times in the past 12 months.
His best time this season was in Rome; running at a remarkable 43.62 seconds on July14 (7th on the all-time list). Wariner’s incredible 2006 season was preceded by winning a gold medal in the 2005 World Outdoor 400m and 4×400m relay and 2 Olympic gold medals.
Wariner, reflecting on his triumphant year, stated:
I worked so hard this past season to stay focused and win all my races. I was fortunate to win the Golden League this year, and to run a great race in Rome with my personal best. This award just tops off a great season, and I’m hoping I can run even faster next season.
Wariner beat out Tyson Gay, Wallace Spearmon, Daniel Lincoln, and Walter Davis to claim this award.
Craig Masback, USATF’s CEO, said:
They had historic seasons that will be difficult for them to top, but part of what makes them special is that you can be certain they’re busy planning how to accomplish even more in 2007 and 2008.
Sources: [U.S. Olympic Team], [IAAF]
Pictures from: [BBC]
Tags: 200m, 400m, awards, daniel lincoln, deena kastor, Ginnie Powell, Jeremy Wariner, jesse owens, Jesse Owens Award, Kim Kreiner, LaShinda Demus, olympic medal, sanya richards, sprinter, track and field, tyson gay, wallace spearmon, walter davis
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The Final Sprint
[…] Both Wariner and Richards also received the Jesse Owens Award for 2006 earlier in the month. […]
December 27th, 2006 at 4:14 pm