Farah and Savinova win European awards

Friday, 7 October 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Britain’s Mo Farah and Russia’s Mariya Savinova have been named men’s and women’s European Athletes of the Year after their performances at the world championships.

Somalia-born Farah claimed gold in the 5,000m in Daegu to cap a stunning season for the 28-year-old who also set a European 10,000m record at a Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon, in June.

He was the first European for nearly two decades to win the 5,000m world title.

Savinova, 26, suffered one defeat in 10 outings over 800m and won gold in Daegu in the fastest time by a European runner for nine years.

The awards are voted for by fans, media and European Athletics member federations as well as a panel of experts.