Australian Athletics Secures Global Double with Olyslagers and McAvaney at World Athletics Awards

Australian Athletics has strengthened its international standing following a historic night at the 2025 World Athletics Awards in Monaco, where Olympic silver medallist, Nicola Olyslagers, was named World Athletics Field Athlete of the Year and legendary broadcaster, Bruce McAvaney, received the prestigious President’s Award.

Olyslagers’ victory marks a milestone for the sport domestically, as she becomes only the second Australian in history to claim one of World Athletics’ top individual honours, following Sally Pearson in 2011. The accolade caps a commercially and competitively dominant season for the high jumper, who secured both the indoor and outdoor world titles, the Diamond League crown, and reset the Oceanian record to 2.04m.

Describing the dual recognition as a “defining moment” for the organisation, and noting the impact of Olyslagers’ global profile on the local ecosystem, Australian Athletics CEO, Simon Hollingsworth, said:  “Nicola’s season sits among the greatest in Australian athletics history. To win indoor and outdoor world titles, break records and consistently elevate the standard of high jump globally is extraordinary.” 

The evening also underscored the role of media in elevating the sport, with Bruce McAvaney recognised for five decades of exceptional service to broadcasting. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe presented McAvaney with the President’s Award, acknowledging his unique ability to contextualise performance for a mass audience.

Only the second Australian to receive the honour after the late Peter Norman, McAvaney, highlighted the enduring power of athletics as a premier content product.

“The opportunity to call those defining, once-in-a-lifetime moments is what fuels my passion and makes my job as a broadcaster so special.”

The recognition of both Olyslagers and McAvaney reinforces Australia’s influence on the global athletics stage ahead of the Brisbane 2032 era.

Olyslagers named Field Athlete of the Year and McAvaney honoured at World Athletics Awards in historic night.

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