Bashir Abdi wins award for best sports performance of 2024

Marathon runner Bashir Abdi has received the Flemish Sports Jewel for the Best Sports Performance of 2024. He succeeds cycling world champion Lotte Kopecky, who won the award last year.

In 2024, 35-year-old Abdi's highlight was winning silver in the marathon at the Paris Olympics. It was his second Olympic medal in a row after winning bronze at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

"Receiving the Flemish Sports Jewel is a very nice recognition," said Abdi, who is recovering from surgery on his foot. "I want to thank a lot of people, including my coach, my doctor, my family, my friends and all the people who have supported me from day one."

The award is voted for by both fans and a jury. One third of the results were determined by an internet poll on the Sporza website. The other two thirds come from a professional jury of elite athletes. The award can only be won once, so previous winners were excluded.

^{#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS}

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