Jesse Williams and Carmelita Jeter win ‘Jesse Owens Award’ – Athletics news
World champions, Jesse Williams and Carmelita Jeter were announced as the winners of the 2011 Jesse Owens Award, the sport’s highest annual accolade in USA, at a ceremony in Indianapolis, USA, on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.
Carmelita Jeter’s current year was the best season of her career, as she secured a comprehensively perfect record in the 100m category, on her way to claim wins for three World Championships medals in Daegu.
Jeter set her pace for the season at the Prefontaine Classic in a world leading time of 10.70 seconds. Her performances at the Prefontaine classic stood amid as one of most tremendous attempts in the discipline, while her effort at Outdoor Visa Championship
Series secured her another win of the season.
Jeter looked in good form to grab more accolades when she won the 100m meet at USA championships. She also picked runner-up honours in the 200m category. In the current year, she won in Daegu, Stockholm, London, Brussels, Monaco and Zurich to win the Diamond
League Trophy in both the 100m and 200m categories.
Williams, on the other hand, grabbed championship wins in what has undoubtedly been the best year of his career. Williams managed to be at the top this year, from his National Indoor title in February to his World Championships win in September. Williams
was able to produce the best performance of the year at USA Outdoor Championships on his home track in Eugene, as he marked a personal best and world leading mark of 2.37 metres.
He brought the category of high-jumping back at the World Championships by winning USA’s first medal in the event since Charles Austin and team-mate, Hollis Conway, who attained gold and bronze medals at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo.
The athlete was also the winner of the Samsung Diamond League’s Diamond Race Trophy at the event, as he took a narrow win over reigning Olympic Russian champion, Andrey Silnov. Williams has been entitled as the only high jumper to have ever been awarded
with the recognition, despite the rich 31-year history of the Jesse Owens Award.
USATF interim Chief Executive Officer, Mike McNees stated, “USA Track & Field is proud to recognise Carmelita and Jesse for their successful seasons with the highest honour in our sport – the Jesse Owens Award. As we approach the Olympic year, we are excited
to see what Carmelita, Jesse and all of our great athletes will be able to accomplish in London.”
The two athletes had a splendid year and if they continue with the same momentum, both will surely be the pick of critics due to their excellent performances in their respective disciplines.
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