Phelps and Felix win top U.S. Olympic athlete awards
Phelps and Felix win top U.S. Olympic athlete awards
Michael Phelps and Allyson Felix were named as the
United States Olympic Committee's (USOC) best athletes for 2011-12 on
Monday for their gold-medal performances at the London Olympics.
Phelps won the male athlete of the year award for the
third time after the swimmer captured four gold medals in London to
finish his career with an unprecedented tally of 18 golds, twice as many
as the next best from any Olympic sport.
Felix won the women's award after scooping winning gold
in the 200 metres sprint and the 4x100m and 4x400m relays on the
running track.
The women's rowing eight crew won the team award while
swimmer Jessica Long and wheelchair racer Raymond Martin won the top
individual paralympic awards and the men's quad doubles wheelchair
tennis pairing won the paralympic team award.
"We are so proud to honour these young men and women
who represent the finest ambassadors of sport, Team USA and the Olympic
Movement," USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun said in a statement.
"Through their commitment to excellence on and off the
field, these athletes represent our country with incredible grace and
composure, and their outstanding achievements are an inspiration to all
Americans."
