Athlete of the Year is an award given by various sports organizations for the athlete whom they have determined to be deserving of such recognition.
For etymology of "athlete", see AthleteIn many nations, an "athlete" primarily refers to someone who participates in the various disciplines of athletics (track and field, racewalking, cross country and road running)In other nations — including Canada and the United States — an "athlete" equals "sportsperson" (from any sport).The awards are also sometimes called player of the year, most valuable player (MVP), sportsperson (sportsman or sportswoman) of the year, or Mr./Ms. X sport. For example, at the high-school level in the United States, several American states choose a Mr. Basketball (e.g., Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, North Dakota, Utah, and Wisconsin). Such awards — general and one-sport-only — are common at the high-school, college (university), and professional levels in the United States.
Athletics (track and field)
World's Greatest Athlete (decathlon)IAAF World Athlete of the Year (International Athletic Foundation of the International Association of Athletics Federations)European Athlete of the Year TrophyTrack & Field News Athlete of the YearWorldwideLaureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year (Laureus World Sports Academy)Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the YearL'Équipe Champion of Champions—excludes French nationalsBBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year—excludes British nationalsSports Illustrated Sportsperson of the YearUnited Press International Athlete of the Year AwardUnited States Sports Academy Athlete of the YearCountry-specific Argentina
Olimpia Award Australia
AIS Athlete of the Year Austria
Austrian Sportspersonality of the year Belgium
Belgian Sportsman of the year Brazil
Prêmio Brasil Olímpico Bulgaria
Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year Canada
Lou Marsh Trophy (athlete of the year, of either sex)Lionel Conacher Award (male athlete of the year)Bobbie Rosenfeld Award (female athlete of the year)Velma Springstead Trophy (female athlete of the year) Czech Republic
Sportsperson of the Year Denmark
Danish Sports Name of the Year Estonia
Estonian Sportspersonality of the year Finland
Finnish Sports Personality of the Year France
L'Équipe Champion of Champions Germany
German Sportspersonality of the Year Hungary
Hungarian Sportspeople of the Year Iceland
Icelandic Sportsperson of the Year India
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Iran
Iran Sportsperson of the year Ireland
RTÉ Sports Person of the Year Jamaica
Jamaica Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Japan
Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize Kenya
Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year Latvia
Latvian Sportspersonality of the year Lithuania
Lithuanian Sportsman of the Year Luxembourg
Luxembourgish Sportspeople of the Year Malaysia
Anugerah Sukan Negara for Sportsman of the YearAnugerah Sukan Negara for Sportswoman of the Year Netherlands
Dutch Sportsman of the year Norway
Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year New Zealand
Halberg Awards Philippines
PSA Sportsman of the Year Poland
Polish Sportspersonality of the Year Portugal
CDP Awards Serbia
Golden badge Sport—athlete of the year Slovakia
Sportsperson of the Year Slovenia
Slovenian Sportsman of the year South Africa
South African Sportsperson of the Year Spain
Premios Nacionales del Deporte Sweden
Svenska Dagbladet Gold MedalRadiosportens JerringprisSvenska idrottsgalan Switzerland
Swiss Sports Personality of the Year Ukraine
Heroes of Sports Year United Kingdom
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award United States
Because these awards are given by American organizations, the winners are usually, but not always, Americans. Also, the presence of the word "Sportsman" in the name of an award does not imply that the award is open solely to men; women have frequently won these awards.
Associated Press Athlete of the Year (AP)Best Female Athlete ESPY AwardBest Male Athlete ESPY AwardSporting News Sportsman/Pro Athlete of the YearSports Illustrated Sportsman of the YearSportswoman of the Year Award (Women's Sports Foundation)United Press International Athlete of the Year Award (UPI) (defunct)NCAA Woman of the Year Award (student-athlete)Best Female College Athlete ESPY AwardBest Male College Athlete ESPY AwardAtlantic Coast Conference Athlete of the Year (ACC)One sport (other than track and field)
International Baseball Federation Senior Athlete of the YearU.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year (U.S. Soccer Federation) (association football)Golden Year Award at association football, Neymar last winnerLeigh Matthews Trophy (Australian Football League) (Australian rules football)Canadian Football League Most Outstanding Player Award (Canadian football)GAA All Stars Awards (Gaelic games)All Stars Footballer of the Year (Gaelic football)All Stars Hurler of the Year (hurling)Ladies' Gaelic football All Stars Awards (Ladies' Gaelic football)Camogie All Stars Awards (camogie)Rounders All Stars Awards (rounders)National Football League Most Valuable Player Award (U.S.) (American football)Nippon Professional Baseball Most Valuable Player Award (Japan)MLB Most Valuable Player Award (Major League Baseball) (U.S. & Canada)Players Choice Awards Player of the Year (Major League Baseball) (U.S. & Canada)Sporting News Player of the Year (Major League Baseball) (U.S. & Canada)Sporting News MLB Athlete of the Decade (Major League Baseball) (U.S. & Canada)ACC Men's Basketball Player of the Year (Atlantic Coast Conference) (college/university) (U.S.)Baseball America High School Player of the Year Award (U.S.) 