World Athletics Will Name 2026 Athletes of the Year
The governing body announced 20 nominees for the prestigious awards ceremony set to occur in Monaco.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Track & Field
Live Poll
Do you believe global recognition for local athletes creates meaningful benefits for their home communities?
World Athletics has unveiled its 20 nominees for the 2026 World Athlete of the Year honors. The group includes 10 women and 10 men, all selected by an international panel of athletics experts.
Why it matters
These awards recognize the most exceptional performances in track and field over the past competitive season. The inclusion of standout athletes highlights the diverse global talent currently dominating the sport.
The nomination list features 20 total candidates for the 2026 World Athlete of the Year awards. The field is split evenly with 10 nominees competing in the Women's category and 10 in the Men's category.
The players
World Athletics
This international governing body serves as the official organization for the sport of athletics, including track and field.
Marileidy Paulino
She is a decorated track athlete who made history as the first woman from the Dominican Republic to win an Olympic gold medal.
The details
Marileidy Paulino, the first woman from the Dominican Republic to earn an Olympic gold medal, is among the athletes recognized for her performance during the 2026 campaign. An international panel of athletics experts curated the list of 20 finalists.
Timeline
2026 served as an exceptional competitive campaign for Marileidy Paulino.
The World Athletics Awards ceremony will take place on 29 November 2026.
Season Trajectory
The selection of nominees for the World Athletics Awards ceremony continues the tradition of honoring the sport's highest-achieving participants. This recognition process underscores the prestige of the annual season-ending honors in global track and field.
Fans tracking the 2026 season can anticipate the final winners being revealed during the upcoming ceremony in Monaco. The nomination of athletes like Marileidy Paulino solidifies their standing in the current elite track and field hierarchy.
The takeaway
The 2026 awards reflect the highest level of performance currently seen across the global athletics circuit. Observing the final selection process provides insight into which athletic metrics and competitive milestones the international panel values most.
What happens next
The World Athletics Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on 29 November 2026 in Monaco, where the final winners will be announced.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in international competition on our Track & Field page.
Live Poll
Do you believe global recognition for local athletes creates meaningful benefits for their home communities?
