Monte Carlo - Usain Bolt (JAM) and Sally Pearson (AUS) were named the Male and Female World Athletes of the Year for 2011 by IAAF President Lamine Diack earlier today.

Bolt, who won the award for the third time, and Pearson, a first-time nominee and winner, will receive their trophies and US$100,000 prizes officially this evening at the 2011 World Athletics Gala, held at the Salle des Etoiles of the Sporting Club d’Eté.

The 2011 World Athletics Gala will be hosted by International Athletic Foundation (IAF) Honorary President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and IAF & IAAF President Lamine Diack, who will each present the awards.

Bolt, 25, successfully defended his title in the 200m at the World Championships in Daegu clocking 19.40, the second fastest performance of the year. He concluded the Championships by anchoring a Jamaican quartet to a 37.04 World record in the 4x100m Relay and ended the season undefeated in four 200m races. He was also the 2011 world leader in the 100m at 9.76, and won five of his six races over the distance.

Pearson, also 25, dominated the women's 100m Hurdles this year, winning ten of her 11 competitions while producing seven of the season's quickest 11 performances. The highlight was her sensational 12.28 clocking to take the World title, making her the fourth fastest woman in history with the fastest performance in nearly two decades.

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