Ethiopian Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele is 2004 Male Athlete of the Year. He won the International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) award at the 2004 World Athletics Gala at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte-Carlo on Sunday 19th September 2004.

Kenenisa was given the award in recognition of his exemplary performances in 2004, which included the 10,000m Olympic gold medal and the silver in the 5000m, his World 5000m & 10,000m records and World Indoor 5000m record.

“After so many great races and good results, it's very special that this award comes next for me," said Kenenisa when receiving the award.  "I'm very young and to win this prize, is very special at this age. I hope that in the future, I can do it again. "

"To finally win this is very exciting, and I'm very very happy," he said.

Nominations for the awards were made via a public poll on the IAAF website (www.iaaf.org) from Monday 13 to Friday 17 September. The names were whittled down to the top five candidates for each of the categories – Athletes of the Year: Men, Athletes of the Year: Women, Performance of the Year: Men, Performance of the Year: Women. The shortlist was then presented to the panel of the International Athletic Foundation (IAF) which was formed of Honorary President HSH Crown Prince Albert of Monaco, President Lamine Diack, Council Members Amadeo Francis and Dapeng Lou, and Honorary Member Giovanna Nebiolo.

It was this panel that made the final selection of the Athletes of the Year after consideration of results achieved.

ENDS