Richards named IAAF World Athlete of the Year
Nov. 23, 2009
MONTE CARLO, Monaco -- Former University of Texas Women's Track and Field standout Sanya Richards has been named the International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) 2009 World Female Athlete of the Year, the organization announced at its annual World Athletics Gala. It is the second World Athlete of the Year accolade for Richards, who also received the award in 2006. Jamaica's Usain Bolt was named the World Male Athlete of the Year. "I was asked if this feeling would be the same as being World champion and it really is," said Richards. "Considering the other athletes I was up against this year, I know this must have been a really tough decision." Richards capped off a dominating 2009 season when she won her first individual 400m world title at the 2009 IAAF World Track & Field Championships Berlin this past August. The former Longhorn (2003-04) crossed the finish line in a world-leading time of 49.00. She became the first American to land the title since 1993 and also had the fastest time by an American at the event since she finished second in 49.74 at the 2005 Championships. Richards was also part of USA's winning 4x400m relay. Just a month prior to Berlin, Richards captured her fifth national 400m title at the 2009 U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Richards led the world in the event throughout the 2009 season and didn't lose a race after May. She posted seven of the world's top 10 400m times, including the world-best mark of 48.83 and shared the Golden League jackpot of $1 million for the third time by winning all six of her qualifying races. Capping her season with another victory at the World Athletics Final, Richards will bring a 10-race win streak in her specialty into the 2010 season.
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