MOSCOW, Russia, CMC – Usain Bolt was presented on Saturday with the 2012 International Association for Sports Journalists (AIPS) Male Athlete of the Year award for his outstanding performance at the Olympic Games in London last year.
The Jamaican sprinter received the award shortly after he won his third straight men’s 200 metres title at the 14th IAAF World Championships in Athletics at the Luzhniki Stadium.
The award from the AIPS America was presented by Trinidad Express sports journalist Kwame Laurence on behalf of the continental section of AIPS and witnessed by other Caribbean journalists.
Bolt and Colombian cyclist Mariana Pajon were named the top sports personalities in Latin American and the Caribbean in 2012. Pajon received her award at a ceremony in Medellin, Colombia earlier this year but Bolt was unable to attend.
In accepting the award from AIPS America, Bolt said: ““Yeah man. Appreciate it. Thanks.
“Through what I’ve been through with journalists over the years—I’ve been through some good, some bad stuff—it’s always good to be recognised by them, because I know” he quipped, “that they’re not as bad as I thought they were.”
Bolt won the 200m in a world leading 19.66, ahead of teammate Warren Weir (19.79) and American Curtis Mitchell (20.04).
