Previously, World Athletics named one men’s and one women’s Athlete of the Year across all events.

The winners were: American sprinter Noah Lyles (men’s track), Kenyan distance runner Faith Kipyegon (women’s track), Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis (men’s field), Venezuelan triple jumper Yulimar Rojas (women’s field), Kenyan marathoner Kelvin Kiptum (men’s out of stadium) and Ethiopian marathoner Tigist Assefa (women’s out of stadium). World Athletics divided its World Athlete of the Year awards into three categories for the first time - men’s and women’s track, field and out of stadium events.