Usain Bolt Awarded IAAF 2012 "Athlete of the Year"

          Usain Bolt has had an impeccable season, winning three gold’s in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in this year’s London Olympics. He became the first man to defend the 100m and 200m Olympic Sprint titles, setting a new Olympic record in the 100m. He also anchored the Jamaican Men’s Sprint Team, which set a new world record in the 4x100m relay.

         Previously named “Athlete of the Year” by the IAAF in 2008, 2009, and 2011, this year’s triumph breaks the record for the most times a single athlete has received this honor. Reflecting on the year and becoming the first athlete to win the award four times, Bolt shared, "For me this is a great honor to win a fourth time. I really worked hard and I was really focused this year. This season was one of my toughest. I had my ups and downs, even though we don't like to talk about them."

          Given his remarkable success in 2012, we hope you’ll join us in congratulating Usain Bolt for this outstanding honor. Feel free to share your own kind words in the comment box below or through our networks on Facebook and Twitter.