Omar McLeod and Alia Atkinson have been named the RJRGleaner National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for 2017.
The 23-year-old Olympic sprint hurdler and the 29-year-old swimmer both walked away with top honours during Friday’s gala ceremony, which was held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
Atkinson, however, was not on hand to collect her award but did express her appreciation through a recorded message.
McLeod capped a spectacular year after claiming Jamaica’s only gold at last summer’s World Championships in the 110-metre hurdles. The sprinter is also the reigning Olympic champion in the event.
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Atkinson’s many achievements throughout the year include winning three gold medals at the FINA Swimming World Cup in Germany and also breaking the 100-metre freestyle national record at the Florida Gold Coast Senior Championships in Coral Spring last July.
Other athletes honoured on the night include Veronica Campbell-Brown, who was given the Gleaner Iconic Award, Aiko Jones (VMBS Y.O.U.T.H Award) and Oshane Thomas (People’s Choice ‘Performance of the Year’ Award).
