Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge was on Sunday named best male athlete of Tokyo 2020 Olympics during the Association of National Olympic Committees, ANOC, Awards Gala at in Crete, Greece.
The 36-year-old retained marathon gold medal at the postponed Summer Games in two hours, eight minutes and 38 seconds in August.
Kipchoge defended his marathon gold medal having won in Rio Da Janeiro,Brazil during the 2016 Olympics.
“It is an honour to win the ANOC Award for the Best Male Athlete at the Tokyo Olympics. With so many beautiful performances by so many athletes, I am proud to be the recipient of this award. Thank you all for your great support,” the world record holder said.
Kipchoge was awarded by the president of Association of National Olympics Committee of Africa, Mr. Mustapha Berraf at the Open Air Theatre of the Creta Maris Beach Hotel.
Canadian swimmer Maggie Mac Neil, who earned gold in the 100-metre butterfly and added silver and bronze in relay events in her Olympic debut, was named the best Female Athlete of Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“It is such a great honour to receive this award,” said the 21-year-old Mac Neil.
“There are so many amazing athletes who competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. With all we have been through the last year and a half, this makes it even more special.”
The Association of National Olympic Committees Awards were first presented in 2014, and are now presented after every Games. They recognize outstanding athletic achievements from the most recent Olympic Games.
Other awardees were;
Outstanding Athlete Performance – Cuban Mijain Lopez
Best Male Team at Tokyo 2020 – Japan National Baseball Team
Best Female Team at Tokyo 2020 – New Zealand Rugby Team
Best Male Multiple Athlete Event of Tokyo 2020 – Italy Cycling Track Pursuit Team
Best Female Multiple Athlete Event of Tokyo 2020 – Estonia Fencing Epee Team
