Jamaican sprint star, Usain Bolt, and American tennis goddess, Serena Williams, have been voted the best male and female athletes of 2015 by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
Founded in 1924 during the Olympic Games in Paris, AIPS is the peak body that represents the international sports media with its headquarters in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne, Switzerland.
A panel of sports journalists from 91 countries voted in this year’s poll.
Bolt, having won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at the IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015, received a total of 804 votes (27.74%) to finish in front of tennis player, Novak Djokovic, and footballer. Lionel Messi.
It is the fifth time that Bolt has won the award, following his victories in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013, the years in which he similarly won three gold medals at global championships.
The women’s award, like in 2012 and 2013, went to Williams after another year of dominance – winning the Australian, French and Wimbledon Open titles.
Ethiopia’s world 1500m champion and record-holder Genzebe Dibaba finished second with 13.19% of the votes, while world 200m champion Dafne Schippers was third with 10.31% of the votes.
The IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015 was voted as the Best Press Facility of the year.
