Three Finalists Named for World Athlete of the Year
World Athletics has shortlisted Alison dos Santos, Mondo Duplantis and Sabastian Sawe for its 2026 Men's award, with the winner to be revealed in Monaco.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Track & Field
World Athletics has confirmed three finalists for the 2026 Men's World Athlete of the Year: Alison dos Santos, Mondo Duplantis and Sabastian Sawe. The finalists topped a four-way vote involving fans, athletes, media members and the World Athletics Family, after being chosen from a list of 10 nominees.
Why it matters
The award recognizes the season's standout performances in track and field, and the finalists' records highlight a strong year across hurdles, pole vault and distance running. The public vote gives supporters around the world a direct role in the outcome.
Dos Santos ran 45.80 for the 400m hurdles world record and went unbeaten over 11 races, while Duplantis lifted the pole vault world record to 6.31m. Sawe's London Marathon world record of 1:59:30 is also among the figures behind the shortlist, though the voting breakdown among fans, athletes, media and officials has not been published.
The players
World Athletics
World Athletics is the international governing body for track and field, organizing its major championships and awards and maintaining official world records.
Alison dos Santos
Alison dos Santos is a Brazilian 400m hurdler who set a world record of 45.80 in the event.
Mondo Duplantis
Mondo Duplantis is a Swedish pole vaulter who has repeatedly broken the men's pole vault world record.
Sabastian Sawe
Sabastian Sawe is a Kenyan long-distance runner who set a London Marathon world record of 1:59:30.
The details
Alison dos Santos, Mondo Duplantis and Sabastian Sawe were picked from 10 nominees chosen by an international panel of athletics experts. dos Santos also won the Ultimate title in 45.98, Duplantis claimed the Ultimate, world indoor and European titles, and the winner will be announced live at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco.
Timeline
Wednesday, 11 November 2026: Women's World Athlete of the Year finalists are scheduled to be announced.
29 November 2026: The Men's World Athlete of the Year winner will be announced at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco.
Season Trajectory
The shortlist follows World Athletics' established model of expert nomination followed by a public vote, which the 2026 season's record-setting performances have made especially competitive. Duplantis's pole vault record and Sawe's marathon mark extend a run of world-best results that has put multiple disciplines at the center of the award conversation.
Fans who follow the awards can track the announcement on 11 November for the women's finalists and on 29 November for the men's winner. The public vote is part of the process, so the outcome reflects input from supporters as well as expert and media voices.
The takeaway
The shortlist shows how a public vote can sit alongside expert judgment in choosing a sport's top honor. Tracking the record marks in each finalist's event offers a clearer picture of why these three rose above a field of 10.
What happens next
The Men's World Athlete of the Year winner will be announced live at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco on 29 November 2026, with the Women's finalists due to be named on 11 November.
Further reading
Explore more Track & Field coverage for context on the athletes and events behind this year's shortlist.
