This archive report was first published on 29 November 2019.
Eliud Kipchoge Shortlisted for BBC's World Sports Star of the Year ¶
Kenyan marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge has been shortlisted for the BBC's World Sports Star of the Year award, announced on Friday, following his historic achievement of running a marathon in under two hours.
On October 12, Kipchoge became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours, completing the 26.2-mile course in 1 hour 59 minutes and 40 seconds at a specially organised event in Vienna, Austria.
He was crowned World Athlete of the Year last week, along with American 400m hurdles world record holder Dalilah Muhammad, during the annual awards ceremony of the sport's governing body in Monaco.
Other nominees for the BBC's World Sports Star of the Year award include South Africa's Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi, American gymnast Simone Biles, Megan Rapinoe, Australian cricketer Steve Smith, and Tiger Woods.
The winner will be announced on December 15.
Nominee Profiles
Eliud Kipchoge ¶
Age: 35, Sport: Athletics
One of sport's great barriers was broken in October, when Kipchoge became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours.
Siya Kolisi ¶
Age: 28, Sport: Rugby union
History was made in stunning style as Kolisi, the Springboks' first black captain, skippered South Africa to a 32-12 victory over England in the Rugby World Cup final.
Simone Biles ¶
Age: 22, Sport: Gymnastics
Five World Championship gold medals raised her record-breaking medal tally to a total of 25 as Biles continued to redefine what was possible in gymnastics.
Megan Rapinoe ¶
Age: 34, Sport: Football
Six goals from Rapinoe helped the USA win the Women's World Cup in France as she claimed the Golden Boot for top scorer and Golden Ball for best player in the tournament.
Steve Smith ¶
Age: 30, Sport: Cricket
The thorn in England's side, Smith enjoyed a prolific series to help Australia retain the Ashes despite being ruled out of the third Test after suffering a concussion.
Tiger Woods ¶
Age: 43, Sport: Golf
Eleven years after his last major title, the injury-plagued Woods produced one of sport's great comeback stories to win the Masters at Augusta.
