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Seeing recognition for Myles Garrett as the 2023 Professional Athlete of the Year is more than great. Garrett, who led the NFL’s best defense in 2023 and pivotally guided the Browns to a Wild Card Playoff, continues to prove his skills in the track and field. The glorification reflects his outstanding contributions to the sport, earning him recognition, and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission congratulated him on this achievement.

But amidst this triumph, another aspect started surfacing on social media site X because of the post by Katie Moon, who questioned the criteria for nominating female athletes for the Athlete of the Year award. Later, Johnson’s reply and observation of Katie Moon’s post shed light on a broader issue within the track and field community, raising questions about these athletes’ communication and public perception.

The conversation gained strong momentum with Michael Jhonson

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The conversation got a new aspect when Michael Johnson’s post on his X handle expressed concern over the widespread misconception that track and field athletes, particularly those who have achieved the pinnacle of success in the Olympics and World Championships, are considered amateurs. Katie Moon raised a thought-provoking question about the prestigious “Athlete of the Year” nomination criteria. She admired Myles’ phenomenal achievements but questioned the process that seemingly neglects female athletes.

Katie Moon even referenced the past existence of an Amateur Athlete of the Year category encompassing both track and field and Olympic athletes, despite their professional status. This made Michael Johnson post the comment on his X handle: The number of people in the replies who think a track & field Olympic and World Champion is an amateur athlete is a major indictment of those in charge of the sport.The post even highlighted the number of replies from individuals who still view these elite athletes as amateurs, shedding light on a potential disconnect between the perception of the sport and its reality.

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The controversy against equality in the sports world

While Myles Garrett’s achievements are undoubtedly commendable, the absence of a dedicated category for female athletes or those competing at the Olympic level raises concerns about the inclusivity and fairness of the awards system. Katie Moon’s post justified the fact. Her achievements in every previous year with winning titles, such as “USATF Indoor Championships, and USA Olympic Trials,” prove how deserving she is.

Read More: America Celebrates Historic Victory as World Champion Katie Moon Secures her First Diamond League Trophy on Home Soil

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Fans and media even felt that this conversation was started on the need for fair and transparent nomination processes that consider male and female athletes based on their accomplishments and contributions to their respective sports. As discussions about the perception of track and field athletes and the criteria for athlete of the year nominations continue, the sports community is urged to address these issues to ensure equal recognition and representation for all deserving athletes.

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