Questions all over the country are being raised about whether World Athletics got it right when they crowned Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone as the 2024 Female Track Athlete of the Year.
The decision, though celebrated by many, has ignited fierce debate, with Kenya’s own Beatrice Chebet being cited as a glaring omission for the prestigious honor.
Beatrice Chebet was snubbed for 2024 Female Track Athlete of the Year sparking global debate over Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s win.
Leading the charge in questioning the verdict is Kenyan coach Justin Lagat who minced no words on social media.
“Despite winning two Olympic gold medals in Paris, breaking the 10,000m world record, and dominating cross-country, Chebet couldn’t beat McLaughlin-Levrone? This is beyond disappointing,” he wrote on For context, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has undeniably been a force of nature in the 400m hurdles.
At the Paris Olympics, she shattered her own world record with a jaw-dropping time of 50.37 seconds and became the first woman to defend her Olympic title in the event.
Adding to her accolades, she anchored Team USA to victory in the 4x400m relay, bringing her career Olympic gold tally to five.
She has not lost a 400m hurdles race since 2019, and her dominance is unquestionable.Yet, critics argue that the award was not just about winning; it was about impact, and they believe Chebet’s achievements spoke louder.
Chebet rewrote history books this year when at the Paris Olympics, she claimed double gold in the 5000m and 10,000m, defeating formidable rivals like Sifan Hassan and Gudaf Tsegay.
Months earlier, she became the first woman to break the 29-minutes barrier in the 10,000m, setting a new world record.
For context, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has undeniably been a force of nature in the 400m hurdles.
At the Paris Olympics, she shattered her own world record with a jaw-dropping time of 50.37 seconds and became the first woman to defend her Olympic title in the event.
‘She needed someone to match her personality’ – American legend Michael Johnson praises Dennis Mitchell’s role in unleashing Sha’Carri Richardson’s potential
Adding to her accolades, she anchored Team USA to victory in the 4x400m relay, bringing her career Olympic gold tally to five.
She has not lost a 400m hurdles race since 2019, and her dominance is unquestionable.
‘It’s not only me’ – Speechless Sifan Hassan reveals crazy 2024 after being crowned Women’s World Athlete of the Year
Yet, critics argue that the award was not just about winning; it was about impact, and they believe Chebet’s achievements spoke louder.
Chebet rewrote history books this year when at the Paris Olympics, she claimed double gold in the 5000m and 10,000m, defeating formidable rivals like Sifan Hassan and Gudaf Tsegay.
Months earlier, she became the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier in the 10,000m, setting a new world record.
Ezekiel Kemboi offers advice to India’s Avinash Sable on becoming a world-class steeplechaser
She also clinched the World Cross Country title, solidifying her reputation as the most versatile long-distance runner of the year.
These feats were not just monumental for Kenya but for the sport as a whole.
“Chebet didn’t just compete; she transcended barriers that have defined women’s athletics for decades,” Lagat pointed out.
The debate is not just a matter of numbers; it is about recognition.