BOA Announce 2010 Olympic Athlete of the Year Winners

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has today announced the list of recipients of the 2010 Olympic Athlete of the Year trophy.

The award was introduced in 2005, to mark the BOA’s Centenary Year and the success of London being awarded the 2012 Olympic Games.

The BOA presented a trophy to each of the 33 summer and winter Olympic sports for them to award on an annual basis to their top performing athlete of the year.

To mark outstanding performances in 2010, the following athletes have been awarded the BOA Olympic Athlete of the Year trophy:

Aquatics - Rebecca Adlington
Archery - Alison Williamson
Athletics - Mo Farah
Badminton - Rajiv Ouseph
Basketball - Pop’s Mensah-Bonsu
Boxing - Tom Stalker
Canoeing - Ed McKeever
Cycling - Emma Pooley
Equestrian - Laura Bechtolsheimer
Fencing - Chrystall Nicoll
Gymnastics - Beth Tweddle
Handball - Holly Lam-Moores
Hockey - Helen Richardson
Judo - Euan Burton
Modern Pentathlon - Sam Weale
Sailing - Ed Wright
Shooting - Elena Allen
Table Tennis - Liam Pitchford
Taekwondo - Jade Jones
Tennis - Andy Murray
Triathlon - Jonathan Brownlee
Volleyball - Nathan French
Weighlifting - Peter Kirbride
Wrestling - Myroslav Dykun
Biathlon - Lee-Steve Jackson
Bobsleigh/Skeleton - Amy Williams
Curling - Eve Muirhead
Luge - AJ Rosen
Skating - Sinead and John Kerr
Skiing - Andrew Musgrave

*Ice hockey, football and rowing are yet to announce their Olympic Athlete of the Year for 2010.

Amy Williams, skeleton, said: "I’m delighted to receive the BOA Olympic Athlete of the Year award. This caps a really special year for me, the highlight of which was of course becoming Olympic Champion with Team GB at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.

"I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me on the journey so far. I’m now back in training and aiming for more success at the European and World Championships in 2011."

Rebecca Adlington, swimming, said: "I'm proud and honoured to have won this award in 2010, given the achievements of so many British Swimmers at both the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

"I can't wait to test myself against the best in the world in 2011, as I continue to prepare for London 2012."

Beth Tweddle, gymnastics, said: "I’m really happy to win this award, in what has been a outstanding year for British Gymnastics.

"Becoming World Champion for the third time in my career in 2010 has given me great confidence towards my aim of reaching the podium at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"We experienced the support of the home crowd during the European Championships in Birmingham and that has given us a great taste for the amazing support Team GB will receive in London in 2012.

"I will continue to work hard and hope for further success in 2011 and beyond."