World Athletics Has Revamped Coaching Award
The governing body has replaced its Coaching Achievement Award with a new annual Coach of the Year honor.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Track & Field
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World Athletics has established a new Coach of the Year award to recognize coaching excellence globally. This honor replaces the organization's former Coaching Achievement Award.
Why it matters
The change reflects a strategic effort by the organization to elevate the profile of athletics coaches worldwide. By implementing a new voting structure via the Coaches' Commission, the governing body aims to create a more comprehensive recognition system.
The new award process involves a long list of six to eight nominees selected by the Coaches' Commission, from which three finalists will be chosen. Winners are determined by votes from representatives across six geographic areas.
The players
World Athletics
This is the international governing body for the sport of athletics, overseeing global competitions and standardized rules.
Coaches' Commission
Established by World Athletics in 2025, this body focuses on supporting coaches and managing professional recognition.
Michael O'Connor
He was the recipient of the final Coaching Achievement Award presented in 2025.
The details
The selection process now tasks area coaches' associations with ranking nominees from a long list created by the Coaches' Commission. This move follows the creation of the commission at the end of 2025, which oversaw previous recipients like Michael O'Connor.
Timeline
2020: Helena and Greg Duplantis received the former award.
2023: Laurent Meuwly received the former award.
2024: Trevor Painter received the former award.
2025: Michael O'Connor received the former award.
29 November 2026: The winner will be announced in Monaco.
Season Trajectory
The introduction of the Coach of the Year award signals a shift toward formalized, representative global recognition for non-athletes in track and field. This restructuring aligns with the broader professionalization of the sport's support staff under the oversight of the Coaches' Commission.
The change dictates that national and regional coaches' associations now play a formal role in determining the world's top coach through a ranked voting system. Fans and analysts should expect a shift in how coaching efficacy is debated throughout the competitive season.
The takeaway
This change transitions the award from a subjective achievement honor to a structured, voting-based global recognition. Followers of the sport should monitor the 16 November announcement to see which coaches emerge from the commission's initial long list.
What happens next
Three finalists for the inaugural award will be announced on 16 November, followed by the announcement of the winner at the World Athletics Awards on 29 November 2026.
Further reading
For more news on the sport, visit the Track & Field section.
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