Nine world champions among BOA Athletes of the Year

THE best British athletes of 2009 have been honoured today as the British Olympic Association announced their Olympic Athletes of the Year.

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Phillips Idowu appreciates nod towards season's work after claiming BOA Athlete of the Year (Getty Images)

With nine of the 28 recipients world champions and another three European champions, BOA chief executive Andy Hunt was quick to praise the efforts of British athletes so soon after the last Olympics.

"Following on from the unprecedented success of Team GB at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, 2009 has seen athletes from many of our Olympic sports raise the bar even higher," said Hunt.

"The award of the Olympic Athlete of the Year trophy recognises the quality, focus and commitment of athletes who represent the very best of British talent in their respective Olympic sports.

"With the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games just around the corner, it is fantastic for British winter sport that we have two World Champions.

"I wish all the BOA Olympic Athlete of the Year award winners the very best as they continue their preparations for Vancouver, London and beyond."

And triple jump world champion Phillips Idowu insisted the award was welcome recognition for the work he had put in this season to win gold in Berlin.

"I'm really grateful because it's further recognition of my success this year in Berlin and how hard I've worked throughout my career in general," said Idowu.

"Winning gold to become world champion was amazing and means absolutely everything to me and now I'm more motivated than ever to go on and win more medals."

Artistic Gymnastics champion Beth Tweddle agreed the BOA's recognition of her performance was perfect motivation: "This gives me more confidence and motivation to continue to work hard in the gym to hopefully go on to further success in 2010 and beyond.

"To win double European gold and become World Champion again after a three year break has proved that all of the many hours of hard work put in by myself and my coach has been worth it."

See page two for BOA Olympic Athlete of the Year winners.