Even before the Foundation was formally created in 1986, the late founding President Primo Nebiolo wanted to find the appropriate occasion and way to honour and recognize the world's best athletes. Thus it was with his vision and determination that the first edition of the "World Athletics Gala" was held in the 'Salle Empire' of the Hotel de Paris in late 1986.

It was not until two years later that the Foundation decided to create the Athlete of the Year Award, which was fittingly presented to US superstars Carl Lewis and Florence Griffith-Joyner for the first time at the 1988 Gala. In its 14th year, the Athlete of the Year Award is now universally recognised as the highest distinction for an athlete outside the competition arena. Not based on any one single factor, the Athlete of the Year Award is presented based on a wide range of factors including major victories, performances, head-to-head competition, but also on image the athletes have projected of themselves and their sport.

In time, new awards were developed in order to recognise more athletes and their achievements and these include:

• Distinguished Career Award - Presented only for the first time in 1998 to Jackie Joyner-Kersee upon her retirement, this award is especially intended as the highest possible recognition of a long-standing active or retiring athlete for an outstanding career in the sport.


• Rising Star Award - Normally presented only in even years to coincide with the World Junior Championships in Athletics, this award is a special recognition of outstanding achievement by a young athlete, (under 20 years of age) .


• Inspirational Award - Presented for special recognition of exceptionally inspirational behaviour or performance by an athlete on or off the field of play.

• The Primo Nebiolo Award for Lifetime Achievement - Presented to an athlete, administrator, coach or other individual to recognise distinguished service to the world athletics movement or special personal merits;

• Outstanding Performance Award - Presented for an extraordinary performance in the sport, either in terms of historical significance (record) or through a combination of results in a single event (e.g. multiple medals);

• Athlete of the Century - Presented only once at the 1999 World Athletics Gala, this once-in-century award went to World and Olympic Legends, Carl Lewis (USA) and Fanny Blankers-Koen (NED);

PAST WINNERS

IAF ATHLETES OF THE YEAR