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Jefferson-Wooden, Sawe and Duplantis lead World Athletics award nominees

Original: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Sabastian Sawe and Mondo Duplantis headline 2026 World Athletics Athlete of the Year nominees

World Athletics has announced its nominees for the 2026 Athlete of the Year awards, with American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Ethiopian marathon runner Sabastian Sawe and Swedish pole vault star Mondo Duplantis among the headline names. The shortlist spans track, field and road running, and fans and media will now debate which athletes most deserve the sport's top individual honour.

Why now: The release of the Athlete of the Year shortlist always sparks debate among athletics fans over who should win.

Melissa Jefferson-WoodenSabastian SaweMondo DuplantisWorld Athletics

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• Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Sabastian Sawe and Mondo Duplantis headline 2026 World Athletics Athlete of the Year nominees · Olympics
• Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Sabastian Sawe and Mondo Duplantis headline 2026 World Athletics Athlete of the Year nominees · Olympics

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