24th September 2013 11:00
Emir Bekric has had one of those years that as a budding young runner you can only dream about.
The Serbian won the 400m hurdles title at the European Athletics Under-23 Championships in Tampere in July and then a month later was third at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow.
When he looks back on his career, whatever he achieves between then and now, he will reflect on how 2013 became the summer that changed his life.
No wonder then that he is among the favourites for the European Athletics Rising Star Award as the voting enters its final few days.
Bekric's was one of the great stories of the summer because he proved you do not have to win gold to feel on top of the world.
In fact, making the final of the 400m hurdles in Moscow seemed enough for the Belgrade-born athlete.
As he reached that stage of the event, by breaking his country's national record again - this time with a performance of 48.36 - he said: 'This is the most beautiful day of my life and a great day for Serbian athletics. I gave my best and now I want to enjoy the final.'
How Bekric kept to his word as he finished third in 48.05, once more setting a new record time, as Trinidad & Tobago's Jehue Gordon won gold in 47.69 and American Michael Tinsley finished second in 47.70.
His run of success had begun in June with his victory in the 2nd League of the European Athletics Team Championships as he won in 49.98 before being part of the triumphant 4 x 400m relay team.
But then came a spree of performances which not only saw him make the podium, but consistently break the national record.
He won gold at the Mediterranean Games in Mersin with victory in 48.83, a national and a meeting record and then he lowered that time as he triumphed in Tampere.
Bekric's run at the European Athletics Under-23 saw him reach the final after winning his semi-final in 49.83 before securing the title with a brilliant 48.76 as he beat Great Britain's Sebastian Rodger, second in 49.19, and Estonia's Rasmus Magi, third in 49.19.
It was the perfect base to take to the World Championships where his time reached a new high.
The consistency of his performances was magnificent - on each occasion showing such determination to go even faster and never once being overawed by the occasion.
But it was also not just about him.
After he won bronze in Moscow, Bekric knew the importance to those watching back home and the legacy he was creating.
He said he was running for the whole of Serbia. And how proud his country must have been.
If you think Emir Bekric should be the Male 'Rising Star' of the Year at the European Athletics awards, here is how to vote before the deadline of this Friday - 27 September - at midnight (CET).
For fans to vote for Bekric, follow this link:
European Athletics Rising Star (Male) - http://on.fb.me/15L3PZt
For fans to vote in the other categories, the links are:
European Athlete of the Year (Male) - http://on.fb.me/19sANlh
European Athlete of the Year (Female) - http://on.fb.me/1fHR5Iz
European Athletics Rising Star (Female) - http://on.fb.me/14stb43
For media to vote, visit www.aipsmedia.com