Laureus Awards 2024: Has a Track and Field Athlete Won the Title and Where Do Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson Rank?

The 25th edition of the Laureus Awards once again brings an occasion for celebration of excellence in the sporting world. This year it will grace the magnificent Palacio de Cibeles in the heart of Madrid on April 22nd, 2024. Just a few hours more to go and we will have the winners live with the world across sports. Out of 6 nominees, one will be called out to take the honorary trophy. Notably, the tennis world has made waves by constantly dominating the awards. For men, Roger Federer and female category Serena Williams have won more than 4 times in the past 15 years. But what about track and field?

Athletes from other disciplines like gymnastics, swimming, and surfing have claimed the title for the USA. But track and field hasn’t seen another victory. However, the 2024 nominations offer renewed hope for the sport to reclaim the trophy for the nation. With three-time champion Noah Lyles and the fiery Sha’Carri Richardson among the nominees, anticipation is high for the showdown on April 22 at 20:00 CET. Let’s delve into the last track and field victory and assess the chances of these two American stars.

Track and Field has been historically underrepresented

The most recent triumph in track and field came from Jamaican World 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who was named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards in Paris. Fraser-Pryce secured a record fifth 100m gold at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon 22, solidifying her status as one of the greatest sprinters of all time.

Before her, it was Elaine Thompson-Herah who clinched the title in 2022 as per NBC Olympics.com Thompson-Herah’s remarkable 10.61 secs 100m final time not only set a new Olympic record but also earned her the prestigious Laureus award. For the USA, Marion Jones had bagged the award in 2000. The men’s category has even less representation from track and field. Usain Bolt is the sole star there bagging the award thrice. Therefore, now, the spotlight turns to Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, who aim to follow in their footsteps.

Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson to face behemoths of other sports

Noah Lyles, a six-time world champion, has been recognized for his stellar performances by winning the annual honor from World Athletics. Overcoming challenges like asthma and dyslexia, Lyles has established himself as one of the top athletes in the world. In 2023, he added five Diamond League gold medals to his collection, setting records and dominating the competition. If he secures the Laureus award, it will mark a historic moment in USA track history.

Meanwhile, Sha’Carri Richardson holds the fourth position in World Athletics’ ranking system for female track and field stars. With an impressive score of 1,506, Richardson is a force to be reckoned with on the track. But competition is tough here as well. The two American stars have to go against some of the biggest stars in the sporting world on the award stage. 

It has nominees like Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic, and Max Verstappen who have won the award more than once on previous occasions. On the other hand, in the women’s category, Sha’Carri Richardson’s track rival Shericka Jackson will also be there to challenge her. But this year, the women’s category looks quite promising for track and field since, among six nominees, three are from that genre. The third one is Faith Kipyegon. It remains to be seen if track and field can snatch its glory from other sports on the prestigious stage.