Faith Kipyegon (Women), Joshua Cheptegei and Eliud Kipchoge (Men) are the only Africans selected among the 20 nominees (ten men and ten women) for the trophy of the best athlete of the year.
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon is the continent’s only athlete for the election. She is Olympic champion in the 1500m. On the men's side, the Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei, gold medalist in the 5,000m and silver in the 10,000m at the 2020 Olympics and Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, crowned in Tokyo, carry Africa’s hopes.