Posted: November 13, 2006

Athletics: News and Notes, Volume 7, Number 78

Richards named IAAF Athlete of the Year Sanya Richards was honored November 12 as the top female track athlete in the world this year, winning the IAAF 2006 World Athlete of the Year Award. Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell won the men's honor, and both athletes received a check for $100,000 each, along with the award. Richards received the award at the World Athletics Gala, a black-tie affair, hosted by International Athletic Foundation (IAF) Honorary President Prince Albert of Monaco and IAF & IAAF President Lamine Diack. World ranked #1 overall by the IAAF, Richards posted 15 straight victories in the 400m, including breaking the 22-year-old American record with 48.70 to become the seventh fastest woman of all-time. Along with Powell and American Jeremy Wariner, Richards also won a share of the IAAF Golden League jackpot for sweeping the Golden League meets. For more information on the World Athletics Gala, including more award winners, visit IAAF.org.

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