Bolt, Ayana win IAAF athlete of the year awards

Jamaica's Usain Bolt adds another accolade to his decorated career. (David J. Phillip/AP)

MONACO — Usain Bolt is track and field’s male athlete of the year, winning the award from the sport’s governing body for a sixth time.

Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia won the women’s award, after her world-record run to win Olympic gold in the 10,000 metres.

The awards were handed out Friday by the IAAF at a gala ceremony in Monaco. The winners were chosen by athletics officials, athletes, journalists and an online public poll.

Bolt won golds in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4×100 metres at the Rio Olympics, repeating his feats of the 2012 London Games and in Beijing in 2008.

Ayana smashed the world record in the Olympic 10,000m. Her time of 29:17.45 shaved more than 14 seconds off the previous best.

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