Every year, the American Academy of Sports polls thousands of fans to select the best athletes of the year. In the last decade of December, the finalists of this year were announced. It's nice that, despite all the political differences and information wars, sports fans unanimously voted for the Russian woman Maria Sharapova.
In today's selection, we represent those who have earned the honorary title - best athletes of 2014... Voting determined three finalists among athletes of both sexes.
Top 3 best female athletes of the year
3. Keti Ledecky
The American swimmer is the holder of world records in mid-distance swimming of 400, 800, and also 1500 m freestyle. Ledecki set her last record in August 2014 at the prestigious Pacific Championship.
2. Genzebe Dibaba
The Ethiopian runner specializes in long distance runners. Genzebe's sister and cousin are also athletes, moreover, Olympic champions. Dibaba herself set two "fresh" world records in February 2014 - at distances of 3,000 and 1,500 meters.
1. Maria Sharapova
This year, Masha took second place in the WTA global ranking, losing to the American Williams. In Sharapova's piggy bank for a year of victories at tournaments in Madrid, Stuttgart and Beijing. Best female athlete in the world in the past year won the Roland Garros.
Top 3 best male athletes of the year
3. Lionel Messi
The striker of the Spanish "Barcelona" has been playing football since the age of five. At the World Cup in Brazil, Messi served as the team captain. For the first time since 1990, Argentines reached the semi-finals of the Mundial. As a result, Messi's team won the silver medal of the Championship, losing only to the brilliant German national team in the final. Lionel was named the best player in the world tournament.
2. Dennis Quimetto
The Kenyan athlete won the Berlin Marathon in 2014 with a new world record of 2 hours 2 minutes. 57 sec. The athlete lives and trains in his homeland in the small village of Kapngetuni. In November 2014 in Athens, Dennis was named the best marathon runner in the world.
1. Novak Djokovic
Best Athlete 2014 also holds the title of the best racket in the world in singles. This year was successful for Djokovic not only in tennis, but also in his personal life - the athlete married his longtime girlfriend Elena Ristic. Well, on the court, Novak won 7 titles in a year, including a victory at Wimbledon, as well as in the final ATM tournament.