Outstanding Athletes of the Year

Eagle Exemplar The Academy selects a male and a female Athlete of the Month based on votes from the public. At the end of the year, 10 male and 10 female athletes are nominated for the Athlete of the Year ballot, which is presented worldwide via the web 1-14 December.

The ballot attracts hundreds of thousands of votes from sports fans around the world.

Previous Recipients

Athletes of the Year

Male and female listed respectively.

2018
Yuzuru Hanyu, figure skating, Japan
Simone Biles, gymnastics, United States
2017
Tom Brady, football, United States
Sung Hyun Park, golf, South Korea
2016
Michael Phelps, Swimming, USA
Simone Biles, Gymnastics, USA
2015
Tom Brady, NFL Quarterback, USA
Serena Williams, Tennis, USA
2014
Novak Djokovic, Tennis, Serbia
Maria Sharapova, Tennis Russia
2013
Rafael Nadal, Tennis, Spain
Yuna Kim, Figure Skating, South Korea
2012
Usain Bolt, Track and Field, Jamaica
Serena Williams, Tennis, USA
2011
Novak Djokovic, Tennis, Serbia
Yani Tseng, Golf, Taiwan
2010
David Villa, Soccer, Spain
Yuna Kim, Figure Skating, South Korea
2009
Manny Pacquiao, Boxing, Philippines
Yelena Isinbaeva, Track and Field, Russia
2008
Michael Phelps, Swimming, USA
Nastia Liukin, Gymnastics, USA
2007
Brett Favre, Football, USA
Justine Henin, Tennis, Belgium
2006
Tiger Woods, Golf, USA
Maria Sharapova, Tennis, Russia
2005
Lance Armstrong, Cycling, USA
Danica Patrick, Auto Racing, USA
2004
Lance Armstrong, Cycling, USA
Carly Patterson, Gymnastics, USA
2003
Michael Phelps, Swimming, USA
Annika Sorenstam, Golf, Sweden
2002
Cael Sanderson, Wrestling, USA
Serena Williams, Tennis, USA
2001
Lance Armstrong, Cycling, USA
Jennifer Capriati, Tennis, USA
2000
Lance Armstrong, Cycling, USA
Marion Jones, Track and Field, USA
1999
Lance Armstrong, Cycling, USA
Marion Jones, Track and Field, USA
1998
Lance Armstrong, Cycling, USA
Marion Jones, Track and Field, USA
1997
Sammy Sosa, Baseball, Dominican Republic
Tara Lipinski, Figure Skating, USA
1996
Michael Jordan, Basketball, USA
Martina Hingis, Tennis, Switzerland
1995
Steffi Graf, Tennis, Germany