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