Bolt, Fraser-Pryce win IAAF annual award

Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica pose after receiving their World Athlete of the Year awards during the IAAF World Athletics Gala in Monte Carlo Nov 16, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

MONACO -- Jamaican duo Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce here on Saturday were named the male and female World Athletes of the Year for 2013.

Bolt, who won the award for the fifth time, and Fraser-Pryce, a first-time winner, received their trophies at the IAAF World Athletics Gala.

The awards were hosted by International Athletics Foundation (IAF) Honorary President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and IAF & IAAF President Lamine Diack, who presented the trophies to both winners.

Both athletes will also receive a prize of $100,000.

Bolt, 27, previously the World Athlete of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012, successfully defended both his 100m and 200m titles at the Moscow World Championships this year, winning the latter final in a 2013 world-leading time of 19.66.

He also anchored a Jamaican quartet to the gold medals in the 4x100m relay. He won 10 out of his 11 100m races (including heats), and was unbeaten in his five races over 200m.

"This season will be the one to go for the (200m) world record, " he said. "I want to get ready to attack the world record."

Fraser-Pryce, 26, regained her world 100m title in Moscow in 10.71 which remained the fastest time of the year.

She went on to win the gold medal over the 200m in Moscow and also anchored the Jamaican 4x100m team to victor.

"I'm shocked and excited. It's something that has been a dream of mine," said the dimunitive Fraser-Pryce, who became the second Jamaican woman to win the award after Merlene Ottey in 1990.

"Not all the time do things happen that we want to happen, but this did," she said.