Ashton Eaton, Genzebe Dibaba named track and field athletes of the year

American decathlete Ashton Eaton was named the IAAF's male athlete of the year for 2015 on Thursday after breaking the world record to win gold at the world championships, while Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia won the female award after breaking the 1,500-metre world record.
 
Eaton, the 27-year-old husband of Canadian heptathlon star Brianne Theisen-Eaton, scored 9,045 points in Beijing in his first decathlon in two years to beat his own world mark. He finished well ahead of silver medallist Damian Warner of Canada, who had 8,695 points.
 
"Athletes spend the most vigorous years of human life, arguably called the 'best years', working to hone their abilities," he said in a statement. "I'm grateful and thankful to the IAAF (track and field's world governing body) for excellent competitions, the canvases that allow us to display our work."
 
Eaton won the award ahead of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who landed his 11th world championship gold medal this year, and American triple jumper Christian Taylor.
 
"I did not beat Usain and Christian, my work simply differed in design. They are some of the most talented and beautiful performers of all time. I'm flattered to be among them," Eaton said.

Dibaba broke the women's 1,500 world record in July in Monaco with a time of three minutes 50.07 seconds.
 
She captured the 1,500 world title in Beijing and took the bronze medal in the 5,000.
 
"After being a finalist and narrowly missing out on this award one year ago, I am very proud to be recognized by the fans and experts of our sport," said Dibaba.
 
The awards are usually handed out at the IAAF's annual gala dinner in Monaco but that was cancelled this year due to doping issues in the sport.