Barshim relishes moment of ‘pride and honour’

Global track and field star Mutaz Essa Barshim yesterday thanked his countrymen for their ‘support’, terming his IAAF World Athlete of the Year award on Friday night as a ‘moment of pride and honour’ for Qatar.

Barshim, the 26-year-old high jumper, on Friday night was named IAAF’s Men’s Athlete of the Year along with Belgium’s heptathlon champion Nafissatou Thiam who bagged the women’s award.

World champion and a two-time Olympic medallist, Barshim edged Britain’s long distance star Mo Farah and South Africa’s 400m champion Wayde Van Niekerk.

In an astonishing run of form, Barshim remained undefeated this year in 11 competitions.

“It is a moment of pride and honour,” Barshim said after being crowned the world’s premier athlete at an IAAF ceremony held in Monaco.

“I dedicate this award to Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and to Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Chairman H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani for their support,” Barshim said.

“I would also like to thank all the athletes who have competed against me or backed me, the various sports clubs where I have trained and to all the coaches who have been associated with me,” Barshim said in a clip posted on social media.

“I would like to thank my family for their support. This is truly a great moment for the Arab world. It is a major achievement and I am proud of it. It’s breaking ground,” he said. “It shows if you work hard, have the right team around you, everything is possible,” Barshim said.

“Qatar has talented athletes who are capable of making the nation proud,” Barshim added.

Barshim was congratulated by QOC Chairman Sheikh Joaan who was present in Monaco. QOC Vice President Dr Thani Al Kuwari was also present at the IAAF gala ceremony.

“This award has not come without hard work good planning,” Dr Al Kuwari said in a post on Al Kass website.

“This is the result of unlimited support of Qatari leadership in the sports sector,” he added. “This is an award for the entire nation. We hope more athletes will follow in Barshim’s footsteps,” he said.

Stanislaw ‘Stanley’ Szczyrba, Barshim’s coach, said in the same report: “It is a dream achievement. Barshim is truly an icon in world athletics. My happiness is indescribable. He has achieved so much through hard work. He is currently the best in the business.”

Barshim’s father Issa, said: “My joy cannot be described. He is the hero. He leads the world in his beat. He is truly world-class. The people of Qatar will be so proud of him. All his fellow athletes have motivated him to reach thus far. Others can follow his footsteps.”

Thiam, who won the women’s award, advised young athletes in a post on the IAAF website: “ You have to do things your own way, don’t listen too much to others around you ... Have fun, work hard and you’ll reach your goal.”

IAAF President Sebastian Coe presented the trophy to Barshim while International Athletics Foundation’s (IAF) Honorary President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco handed over the trophy to Thiam.
“Tonight is our time to celebrate,” Coe said.

“We have recognised the achievements and remarkable careers of some outstanding athletes, coaches and officials. With more than 50 champions, record breakers, ambassadors and coaches here tonight it’s impossible to individually honour everyone – I wish we could.

“We celebrate your amazing contributions to a phenomenal year of athletics. I’m particularly excited by the young generation of talent which so dramatically came of age on the world stage in 2017.

“Athletics looks forward to a strong and exciting future safe in your hands.”