The British Olympic Association (BOA) has today announced the list of recipients of the 2010 Olympic Athlete of the Year trophy.
The award was introduced in 2005, to mark the BOA’s Centenary Year and the success of London being awarded the 2012 Olympic Games. The BOA presented a trophy to each of the 33 summer and winter Olympic sports for them to award on an annual basis to their top performing athlete of the year.
To mark outstanding performances in 2010, the following athletes have been awarded the BOA Olympic Athlete of the Year trophy:
Aquatics - Rebecca Adlington
Archery - Alison Williamson
Athletics - Mo Farah
Badminton - Rajiv Ouseph
Basketball - Pop’s Mensah-Bonsu
Boxing - Tom Stalker
Canoeing - Ed McKeever
Cycling - Emma Pooley
Equestrian - Laura Bechtolsheimer
Fencing - Chrystall Nicoll
Gymnastics - Beth Tweddle
Handball - Holly Lam-Moores
Hockey - Helen Richardson
Judo - Euan Burton
Modern Pentathlon - Sam Weale
Sailing - Ed Wright
Shooting - Elena Allen
Table Tennis - Liam Pitchford
Taekwondo - Jade Jones
Tennis - Andy Murray
Triathlon - Jonathan Brownlee
Volleyball - Nathan French
Weighlifting - Peter Kirbride
Wrestling - Myroslav Dykun
Biathlon - Lee-Steve Jackson
Bobsleigh/Skeleton - Amy Williams
Curling - Eve Muirhead
Luge - AJ Rosen
Skating - Sinead and John Kerr
Skiing - Andrew Musgrave
*Ice hockey, football and rowing are yet to announce their Olympic Athlete of the Year for 2010.
Andy Hunt, BOA Chief Executive said:
“Undoubtedly the British Olympic highlight of 2010 was Amy Williams’ outstanding performance on the Whistler Sliding Centre where she claimed Olympic gold for Team GB in such fantastic style. The skeleton slider became Britain’s first individual Winter Olympic Champion for 30 years and inspired the millions of Team GB fans watching on TV across the UK.
“Throughtout 2010, athletes from all 26 summer Olympic sports continued to prepare themselves for the once in a lifetime opportunity presented by a home Olympics in London in 2012. During this year we have seen many well-established sports continue to excel at World and European Championship level, while other sports have demonstrated great progression in their ambition of competing with the very best in 2012.
“During 2010 many young athletes have produced thrilling breakthrough performances and it’s particularly encouraging to see so many young athletes named by their sports as the Olympic Athlete of the Year – none more so than taekwondo athlete Jade Jones who made history by becoming Britain’s first Youth Olympic Champion at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August.
“The award of the Olympic Athlete of the Year trophy recognises the dedication, commitment and excellence of athletes who represent the very best of British talent in their respective Olympic sports. I wish all the award winners the very best as they continue their preparations for London 2012, Sochi 2014 and beyond.”
Commenting on receiving their awards:
Amy Williams, skeleton, said: “I’m delighted to receive the BOA Olympic Athlete of the Year award. This caps a really special year for me, the highlight of which was of course becoming Olympic Champion with Team GB at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me on the journey so far. I’m now back in training and aiming for more success at the European and World Championships in 2011.”
Jade Jones, taekwondo, said: “I am really honoured to win this award which rounds off a truly memorable year for me. Winning medals at the World Junior Championships and then the European Seniors was really special and then to become the first British athlete to win a Youth Olympic gold medal is something that I will never forget. Of course I hope to be able to repeat the experience at future Olympic Games.”
Rebecca Adlington, swimming, said: “I'm proud and honoured to have won this award in 2010, given the achievements of so many British Swimmers at both the European Championships and Commonwealth Games. I can't wait to test myself against the best in the world in 2011, as I continue to prepare for London 2012.”
Beth Tweddle, gymnastics, said: “I’m really happy to win this award, in what has been a outstanding year for British Gymnastics. Becoming World Champion for the third time in my career in 2010 has given me great confidence towards my aim of reaching the podium at the London 2012 Olympic Games. We experienced the support of the home crowd during the European Championships in Birmingham and that has given us a great taste for the amazing support Team GB will receive in London in 2012. I will continue to work hard and hope for further success in 2011 and beyond.”
Eve Muirhead, curling, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been selected for this award and it rounds off what has been an exciting year in my progression to curling at senior level. Competing at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver was an experience I will never forget and the year got even better when our team went on to win silver at the World Championships and again most recently at the European Championships earlier this month. Getting a taste of success makes me all the more determined to go on and reach the top of the medal podium and I would love to have the opportunity to represent Team GB again in Sochi in 2014.”
Jonathan Brownlee, triathlon, said: “It’s absolutely great to win this award, it’s been a long hard season for me and to get this award at the end of it is really amazing. It has been a great breakthrough year with winning the Sprint Distance and Under 23 world titles, as well as finishing on the podium at the World Championships Series event in Hyde Park. I’m looking forward to continuing my development in 2011 and beyond. Following a short break at the end of this season I’m back into the hard work now. The unique opportunity of competing at a home Olympics in 2012 is a great motivating factor.”
Helen Richardson, hockey, said: "It truly is a great honour to receive this award and I really must thank everyone who has helped me throughout my career. I am so proud to play for my country and have enjoyed many fantastic moments over the past 12 years. 2010 has been a successful and promising year for the England team and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of a GB squad, with the backing of the British Olympic Association, which has the desire, ambition and ability to achieve great things. There are exciting times ahead; especially looking towards the London Olympics in 2012 and the whole squad is relishing this unique opportunity."
For further information please contact BOA Communications Officer Phil Wilkinson: philip.wilkinson@boa.org.uk / 0207 842 5700.
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