Athlete of the Year is an award given by various sports organizations for the athlete whom they have determined to be deserving of such recognition.
Definition of "athlete"
In many nations, an "athlete" primarily refers to someone who participates in the various disciplines of athletics (track and field, racewalking, cross country and road running) In other nations — including Canada and the United States — an "athlete" equals "sportsperson" (from any sport).
Similar names for the award
The awards have various titles, examples include "Player of the Year" and "Sportspersonality of the Year". In the United States, several states choose a simple "Mr." or "Miss" prefix, such as Mr. Basketball (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, North Dakota, Utah, and Wisconsin). Such awards — general and one-sport-only — are common at the high-school, college (university), and professional levels in the United States.
List of athlete of the year awards
Athletics (track and field) World's Greatest Athlete (decathlon for men, heptathlon for women) World Athlete of the Year (World Athletics formerly known as the IAAF) European Athlete of the Year (European Athletic Association) Track & Field News Athlete of the Year The Bowerman (collegiate track & field's athlete of the year)
All sports
Worldwide
Awards with deliberate global scope, consistently nominating an international mix of athletes Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year (Laureus World Sports Academy) Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year L'Équipe Champion of Champions—excludes French nationals BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year—excludes British nationals United Press International Athlete of the Year Award Gazzetta Sports Awards Giuseppe Sciacca International Awards Sports Prize United States Sports Academy Athlete of the Year
Continental
European Sportsperson of the Year
Regional
BTA Best Balkan Athlete of the Year
Nationwide
Awards that focus (either predominantly or exclusively) on sportspersons from the host country
Algeria Best Athletes of the Year
Olimpia Award
AIS Athlete of the Year
Austrian Sportspersonality of the year
Belgian Sportsman of the year
Bosnia and Herzegovina Sportsperson of the Year
Prêmio Brasil Olímpico
Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year
Lou Marsh Trophy (athlete of the year, of either sex) Lionel Conacher Award (male athlete of the year) Bobbie Rosenfeld Award (female athlete of the year) Velma Springstead Trophy (female athlete of the year) Tom Longboat Awards (indigenous athletes)