Waterford Crystal European Athlete of the Year Trophy 2002

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Go to the Report and Results 2003
Go to the Report and Results 2001

Süreyya Ayhan and Dwain Chambers

In a surprise result, widespread strong support by Turkish athletics fans throughout Europe helped middle distance runner Süreyya Ayhan to win the Waterford Crystal European Athlete of the Year Trophy 2002.

In the men's ranking, sprinter Dwain Chambers was clearly ahead of his British compatriot Steve Backley.

More than 10,000 people participated in this vote on the EAA website.

Despite the new system that all votes were first counted by country and then the top ten ranking points from each nation were added to the final results - for instance, similar to the voting system for the Eurosong contest - the Turkish enthusiasm for Süreyya Ayhan influenced this public poll. In almost every second country, Ayhan was topped the poll, pushed by their fans living in the respective country. So, she won clearly ahead of long distance runner Paula Radcliffe (GBR), who is the world athlete of the year, and high jumper Kajsa Bergqvist (SWE).

With just a few international races in the second half of the season the 24 year old Süreyya Ayhan became this season's world number one over 1500m. She won the European Championships in Munich, the World Cup in Madrid and ran three times 'sub four'. Her time of 3:57.75 from the Golden League meeting in Brussels was the fastest of the season and a national record.

Last year, Ayhan was winner of the World University Games and 8th at the World Championships in Edmonton.

Dwain Chambers (24) equalled the European 100m record of 9.87 seconds at the Grand Prix Final in Paris, finishing second behind the new world record holder Tim Montgomery. In addition, Chambers was the European 100m Champion in Munich and the winner of the SPAR European Cup in Annecy. In five of his 26 100m races in the 2002 season Chambers achieved a time below 10 seconds.

Behind Chambers javelin thrower Steve Backley (GBR) and discus thrower Robert Fazekas (HUN) were 2nd and 3rd in this year's poll. Backley became European Champion for the 4th time in a row. Fazekas won the European title and the World Cup and he was world season leader.

The award ceremony will be held at the evening before the European Indoor Cup in Leipzig (GER/14 February).

Results 2002

The Rankings

Men

1	Chambers Dwain	GBR	281
2	Backley Steve	GBR