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Beatrice Chebet was snubbed for 2024 Female Track Athlete of the Year sparking global debate over Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s win.
Questions all over the country are being raised about whether World Athletics got it right when they crowned Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone as the 2024 Female Track Athlete of the Year.
The decision, though celebrated by many, has ignited fierce debate, with Kenya’s own Beatrice Chebet being cited as a glaring omission for the prestigious honor.
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Leading the charge in questioning the verdict is Kenyan coach Justin Lagat who minced no words on social media.
“Despite winning two Olympic gold medals in Paris, breaking the 10,000m world record, and dominating cross-country, Chebet couldn’t beat McLaughlin-Levrone? This is beyond disappointing," he wrote on X.
For context, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has undeniably been a force of nature in the 400m hurdles.
At the Paris Olympics, she shattered her own world record with a jaw-dropping time of 50.37 seconds and became the first woman to defend her Olympic title in the event.
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Adding to her accolades, she anchored Team USA to victory in the 4x400m relay, bringing her career Olympic gold tally to five.
She has not lost a 400m hurdles race since 2019, and her dominance is unquestionable.
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Yet, critics argue that the award was not just about winning; it was about impact, and they believe Chebet’s achievements spoke louder.
Chebet rewrote history books this year when at the Paris Olympics, she claimed double gold in the 5000m and 10,000m, defeating formidable rivals like Sifan Hassan and Gudaf Tsegay.
Months earlier, she became the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier in the 10,000m, setting a new world record.
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She also clinched the World Cross Country title, solidifying her reputation as the most versatile long-distance runner of the year.
These feats were not just monumental for Kenya but for the sport as a whole.
“Chebet didn’t just compete; she transcended barriers that have defined women’s athletics for decades," Lagat pointed out.
The debate is not just a matter of numbers; it is about recognition.
Kenyan fans, passionate and vocal, took to social media to express their frustration.
“Nawwwwe… someone who only runs three races a year? @worldathletics do better… smh,” one fan posted.
Another added, “SMH, of course US bias… she’s not even top 3 for me.”
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Their sentiments reflect a broader frustration about how such awards are decided, with many feeling that African athletes often don’t get their due on the global stage.
World Athletics, however, introduced changes to its awards process in 2024, including incorporating fan votes after finalists were selected.
This shift has been both praised for its inclusivity and criticized for opening the door to biases based on an athlete’s popularity rather than their achievements.
In a year when both McLaughlin-Levrone and Chebet delivered legendary performances, the system’s flaws have been laid bare.
“When you pit athletes from entirely different events against each other, how do you measure dominance? By medals? By records? Or by the story they tell?” one sports analyst posed.
Ultimately, while McLaughlin-Levrone’s achievements are undeniable, the Kenyan camp is left asking whether the award process values certain types of excellence over others.
The debate rages on but one thing remains certain—Kenya stands proudly behind its star Beatrice Chebet whose strides have inspired a nation and the world.
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