JOHANNESBURG – Athletics South Africa has called upon the nation to rally behind world star athletes Luvo Manyonga and Caster Semenya who have been nominated for the 2018 global honours by the world body, IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations). Manyonga has been nominated for the IAAF Male World Athlete of the Year, while Semenya is up for another shot at the IAAF Female World Athlete of the Year title.
“We are calling upon every South African to give these athletes the recognition they deserve,” said Aleck Skhosana, the president of ASA. “They have worked very hard to deserve the nominations.
“We are extremely proud of these athletes and congratulate each one of them for this achievement as a nomination of its own is a major recognition as some athletes wrap up their careers without ever being nominated. The time to vote has arrived and we urge each person to back Manyonga and Semenya."
Manyonga dominated the long jump in the Diamond League and Commonwealth Games and also scooped silver medals at the IAAF World Indoor and CAA African Senior Championships.
Semenya, on the other hand, has been unbeaten in nine 800m finals including the CAA African Senior Championships, Commonwealth Games, Continental Cup and Diamond League. In her wake, she set national records in the 400m, 800m, 1000m and 1 500m.
The list of nominees will be trimmed to five next months after a ballot where the public can vote on the IAAF’s social media platforms. The public vote counts 25 percent‚ the IAAF council 50 percent and the IAAF 25 percent. Voting closes on November 13 and the winners will be announced in Monaco on December 4.\
🚨Alert🚨 #AthleticsAwards announcement 🤩 @lvjumper7 is one of 10 nominees for Male World Athlete of the Year 2018✅
Retweet this post to vote for him👇 pic.twitter.com/KnDaFvVw3h
— IAAF (@iaaforg) October 23, 2018
🚨ALERT🚨 #AthleticsAwards announcement🤩 @caster800m is one of 10 nominees for Female World Athlete of the Year 2018✅
Retweet this post to vote her👇 pic.twitter.com/l43rw4bv70