?Nominees Need to Show Consistency? – Michael Johnson Defends Italian Gold Medalist Snub From Athlete of the Year Nomination

Earlier this week, World Athletics released the nominees for the Male World Athlete of the Year. While the list contains several athletes who many expected to feature, some omissions raised eyebrows. One of those omissions was Italian sprinter Lamont Marcell Jacobs.

The 27-year-old won his first and second Olympic gold medals at this year’s Tokyo Olympics. Despite those achievements, he didn’t receive a nomination for the award, which irked some people. With questions around his omission doing the rounds on social media, former Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson shared his views on the Italian’s omission.

Michael Johnson thinks Lamont Marcell Jacobs missing a nomination is not a mystery

The Tokyo Olympics this year was the first time since 2004 where the men’s 100m category did not see Usain Bolt compete. With names like Andre De Grasse and Fred Kerley in the mix, many wondered who would win the iconic sprinting event.

However, Jacobs shocked millions when he took home the gold with a 9.80s sprint, holding off Kerley and De Grasse. In addition, he became the first Italian to qualify for and win the men’s 100m final at the Olympic Games. The 27-year-old also won the 4x100m relay with fellow Italians Lorenzo Patta, Fausto Desalu and Filippo Tortu.

Despite his achievements, Jacobs failed to make the list of nominees, which left a fan puzzled on Twitter. Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist himself, answered this fan’s question by admitting consistency needs to be shown in every competition.

He said,?“Don?t think this is a mystery. Nominees need to show consistency winning against major competition across the season, and for this year you needed to achieve a WR (World Record) or get close to it! Tough competition for the awards this year. Especially the women?s side.”

READ MORE: ?The 100m Was Very Open?: Usain Bolt on Lamont Marcell Jacobs Taking His Title

Eliud Kipchoge features among the nominees for the award

The Kenyan long-distance runner retained his Olympic crown in the men’s marathon event held in Tokyo this year. The nominees comprise nine other athletes apart from Kipchoge, which also includes American shot put star Ryan Crouser.

Another star of the Tokyo Olympics that features in this list is Kasper Warholm. The Danish hurdler broke the world record in the 400m hurdles final in Tokyo, cementing his legacy as one of the best hurdlers of today’s time. The award ceremony will take place at the start of December.