As the prestigious Golden Tracks Awards Night in Batumi, Georgia approaches on Saturday 25 October, we take a closer look at the three finalists for the Men’s European Athlete of the Year trophy.
Today’s focus is on France’s Jimmy Gressier, who has enjoyed an extraordinary breakthrough year at senior level. A five-time gold medallist at European U23 level on track and cross country, Gressier had not quite been able to translate that medal-winning form to the senior ranks — until this year.
2025 Highlights
- World 10,000m champion
- World 5000m bronze medallist
- Half marathon gold at the European Running Championships
- Diamond League 3000m champion
- European records in the indoor 5000m (12:54.92) and 5km road (12:57)
- Set French records in the 5000m (12:51.59) and 3000m (7:30.18)
Record breaking indoor season lays groundwork
During the indoor season, he set a new European record in the 5000m (12:54.92) and a French record in the 3000m (7:30.18) — performances that might have earned greater headlines had they not coincided with world records from the USA’s Grant Fisher, though Gressier's toothy smile would be wider come the year end.
Nonetheless, they signalled that Gressier was ready to make a major impact on the global stage.
Turning to the spring road-running season, he set a European 5km record of 12:57 in Lille in March.
Then, at the inaugural European Running Championships in Brussels-Leuven, he produced a brilliantly confident front-running display to win the half marathon title in 59:45 — his first major senior crown.
The outdoor season brought even more success. Gressier lowered the French 5000m record to 12:51.59, finishing fourth at the Paris Diamond League, before outsprinting a world-class field to win the 3000m at the Diamond League Final in Zurich — a perfect springboard for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
A masterclass in tactics
In unbearably humid conditions, where tactics were always likely to trump speed, Gressier delivered a masterclass in race craft.
Staying composed in the leading pack, he timed his surge to perfection to win gold in the 10,000 m in 28:55.77, becoming the first French athlete ever to win a medal in the men’s 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships. Fisher was eighth. A week later, he added bronze in the 5000m, crowning a magnificent season.
What he said...
On winning gold in Tokyo..
“This is a child’s dream come true. I always believed that once an athlete steps on the track, he can achieve great things.
"This is what has characterised my career. Some may have doubted my finish, but I always believed in myself. I said I would run here for a medal. On the home stretch, I moved to third, then second — and then gold.
"Jakob (Ingebrigtsen) told me I was training too hard. I made a few changes to be more controlled. I had a lot of mental energy for the final lap, and it helped me today.”
On winning gold in Brussels-Leuven
“I am very happy because it is my first title as a senior. I love running; I love the half marathon. I am very, very happy. My plan was to run alone — I feel free when I run alone. I wanted to push from the start and run for the win.”
Did you know?
Gressier is as famous for his celebrations as for his victories. At the 2018 European Cross Country Championships in Tilburg, his attempt to knee-slide across the finish line went slightly awry — ending with his face planted in the tape!
Before committing fully to athletics, he was also a talented footballer, selected to play at the 2015 World Schools Football Cup before deciding to focus on running soon afterwards.
Last 10 Men’s European Athlete of the Year Winners
2024 – Armand Duplantis (SWE)
2023 – Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR)
2022 – Armand Duplantis (SWE) & Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR)
2021 – Karsten Warholm (NOR)
2020 – Not held
2019 – Karsten Warholm (NOR)
2018 – Kevin Mayer (FRA)
2017 – Johannes Vetter (GER)
2016 – Mo Farah (GBR)
2015 – Greg Rutherford (GBR)
2014 – Renaud Lavillenie (FRA)
