NAIROBI, KENYA – World Athletics on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, announced the finalists for its prestigious Athlete of the Year awards, but the celebration was quickly overshadowed by widespread criticism following the omission of two of Kenya’s most dominant athletes, Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet, from the Women’s Track Athlete of the Year category. The decision has left many Kenyan fans and global athletics observers questioning the selection process, especially given the athletes' record-shattering performances throughout the 2025 season.

While Kenya secured three finalist spots with Peres Jepchirchir (Women's Out of Stadium), Sabastian Sawe (Men's Out of Stadium), and Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Men's Track), the exclusion of Kipyegon and Chebet is being viewed as a significant snub. The two finalists selected for the Women's Track Athlete award were Femke Bol of the Netherlands and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the United States.

A Season of Historic Achievements

Faith Kipyegon’s 2025 season was nothing short of historic. She solidified her legacy as the greatest female 1500m runner of all time by winning a record fourth world title in the event at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. This victory made her the first woman in history to win four world titles in any distance running event. Furthermore, on July 5, 2025, Kipyegon broke her own 1500m world record at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, setting a new mark of 3:48.68. She also secured a silver medal in the 5000m at the Tokyo championships, demonstrating remarkable range.

Beatrice Chebet also had an extraordinary year, achieving a rare and dominant double victory at the World Championships by winning gold in both the 5000m and 10,000m events. Her season was further highlighted by setting a new world record in the 5000m, cementing her status as a powerhouse in long-distance track running.

The selected finalists, Bol and McLaughlin-Levrone, also had strong seasons. Bol was the undefeated world champion in the 400m hurdles, while McLaughlin-Levrone became the world 400m champion with the second-fastest time in history.

Voting Process Under Scrutiny

The controversy has brought the World Athletics voting system into sharp focus. The finalists are determined through a three-part process: a vote from the World Athletics Council (worth 50%), votes from the 'World Athletics Family' of stakeholders (25%), and a public vote conducted on social media platforms (25%).

Reports from multiple outlets indicate a significant disconnect between the public's choice and the final outcome. Analysis of the social media polls showed that Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet were the top two vote-getters among the five initial nominees. Their failure to advance to the final round suggests that their support from the World Athletics Council and the 'World Athletics Family' was not sufficient to overcome the preferences for Bol and McLaughlin-Levrone. This has led to accusations that the process may not adequately weigh historic, record-breaking performances against undefeated seasons in single events.

Kenyan Success and Future Outlook

Despite the controversy, Kenya remains well-represented at the upcoming awards ceremony. Peres Jepchirchir earned her finalist spot after winning the world marathon title in Tokyo and securing a podium finish at the London Marathon. Sabastian Sawe was recognized for his commanding victories at both the London and Berlin marathons. Emmanuel Wanyonyi’s nomination follows a stellar season where he became the world 800m champion and also won the Diamond League title.

The final winners will be announced at the World Athletics Awards ceremony in Monaco on Sunday, November 30, 2025 (EAT). Regardless of the outcome, the exclusion of Kipyegon and Chebet has ignited a crucial conversation within the global athletics community about how greatness is defined and rewarded, a debate that is likely to continue long after the trophies are presented.