VILNIUS, Lithuania — The annual Golden Tracks award ceremony, held in Vilnius, Lithuania, was a night of triumph and recognition for athletes Femke Bol from the Netherlands and Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Both were crowned European Athletes of the Year for the second consecutive year, receiving well-deserved recognition for their outstanding indoor and outdoor feats..
You can watch highlights of the 2023 European Athletics Golden Tracks, as well as recap of the live stream of the glittering gala night on the European Athletics YouTube channel.
A Night of Glitter and Gold
The ceremony, which took place on Saturday evening, was a star-studded affair. Dutch hurdler, Bol and Norway’s middle distant superstar, Ingebrigtsen, were presented with their trophies by European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov.
The accolades come after both athletes had stellar seasons, amassing gold medals at various championships, including the Istanbul 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships and the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Overcoming Adversity
Despite their remarkable achievements, both athletes had their share of challenges. Bol stumbled in the mixed 4x400m before making a comeback with a win in the 400m hurdles. Ingebrigtsen, on the other hand, lost the 1500m title to Britain’s Josh Kerr but defended his world 5000m title with a stunning sprint finish.
Read more: Women’s 4x400m relay final results, stats, teams; Femke Bol brilliant anchor leg
Rewriting the Record Books
Both Bol and Ingebrigtsen have made significant contributions to athletics history. Bol broke multiple world indoor records, while Ingebrigtsen shattered the world two-mile best and the world’s 2000m record. Their performances have not only earned them titles but have also rewritten the record books.
The Dutch star was delighted with her accolades in the 2023 campaign is now looking forward to the 2024 season with the focus on the Paris Olympics.
“Olympic year is always exciting,” Bol, who became the fifth woman to take two European Athlete of hte Year awards said after receiving her award.
The ceremony reverberated with applause as Bol’s name was announced, mirroring the accolades she has garnered throughout the season.
Rising Stars and Recognitions
The ceremony also honored European U20 champions Angelina Topic from Serbia and Italy’s Mattia Furlani as this year’s Rising Stars.
Various other awards were presented, recognizing contributions from coaches, member federations, and athletes who have shown exceptional sportsmanship and leadership.
- More: RRW: Jakob Ingebrigtsen successfully defends world championships 5000m title
- More: Ingebrigtsen brothers accuse father of aggressive, controlling behavior
A Legacy Continued
Femke Bol becomes the first female to win back-to-back European Athlete of the Year titles since Dafne Schippers in 2014 and 2015. Jakob Ingebrigtsen keeps the men’s award in Norwegian hands, succeeding Karsten Warholm from previous years.
For more information about the European Athletics and global stars around Europe, please visit the European Athletics website here
