Photo of Femke Bol holding the Dutch flag over her head with the tracks in the background
Hurdler and sprinter Femke Bol was Dutch Athlete of the Year in 2022 and 2023.
Photo of Dafne Schippers with a dark background
Sprinter and heptathlete Dafne Schippers won from 2011 to 2017, more times than any other athlete.
Photo of Tinus Osendarp holding his arms wide at the finish line with an audience in the background
Sprinter Tinus Osendarp was the first winner for 1935, when it was called the Sauer Cup.

The Dutch Athlete of the Year (Dutch: atleet van het jaar) is an annual award given to the most distinguished competitor in the sport of athletics from the Netherlands by the Royal Dutch Athletics Federation (KNAU).[1] A shortlist is drawn up by a group of federation officials and sports journalists and then goes to a vote to the public.[1][2] The award is presented at the annual end-of-year gala of the federation.[2][3][4]

The award for 1935 was inaugurated in 1936 as the Sauer Cup (Dutch: Sauer-beker). It was renamed to the KNAU Cup in 1947, as the eponymous Sauer had collaborated with the Nazis during World War II.[5][6] Initially a mixed-gender award, the best Dutch male and female athletes were recognised separately from 1959 onwards. The men's award was called the Herman van Leeuwen Cup during this period, while the women's award continued as the KNAU Cup. Since 2005, the awards have been known as the Dutch Athlete of the Year,[7][8] and since 2018, it is again a mixed-gender award.[1]

Junior athletes also gained recognition separately through the mixed-gender Albert Spree Cup (Dutch: Albert Spree-beker) that was first awarded in 1951.[5] From 1959, male and female juniors were recognised separately; junior female athletes gained recognition through the Fanny Blankers-Koen Plaquette, while the award for junior male athletes continued as the Albert Spree Cup.[5] These were replaced in 2006 by a mixed-gender junior award known as the Talent of the Year. Since 2018, this award has been merged with the Dutch Athlete of the Year award. In the years between 2011 and 2018, a separate award for para-athletes also existed.[1]

List of winners

1935–1946

Sauer Cup[note 1]
Year Athlete Ref.
1935 Tinus Osendarp [9]
1936 Wil van Beveren [10]
1937 Fanny Koen [11]
1938 Nel van Balen Blanken [12]
1939 Jan Brasser [13]
1940 Fanny Blankers-Koen [14]
1941 Wim Peters [15]
1942 Chris Berger [16]
1943 Fanny Blankers-Koen [17]
1944 not awarded[note 2] [5]
1945 not awarded[note 2] [5]
1946 Women's relay team[note 3] [19]

1947–1958

KNAU Cup[note 4]
Year Athlete Ref.
1947 Jef Lataster [20]
1948 Frits de Ruijter [21]
1949 Joop Overdijk [22]
1950 Wim Slijkhuis [23]
1951 Nico Lutkeveld [24]
1952 Puck Brouwer [25]
1953 Wil Lust [26]
1954 Janus van der Zande [27]
1955 Cor Aafjes [28]
1956 Frans Künen [29]
1957 Hannie Bloemhof [30]
1958 Dini Hobers [31]

1959–2004

Herman van Leeuwen Cup and KNAU Cup[note 5]
Year Men Women Ref.
1959 Eef Kamerbeek Gerda Kraan [32]
1960 Eef Kamerbeek Joke Bijleveld [33]
1961 Cees Koch Gerda Kraan [34]
1962 Cees Koch Gerda Kraan [35]
1963 Henk Evers Lia Hinten [36]
1964 Frans Luitjes Tilly van der Made [37]
1965 Fred van Herpen Ilja Laman & Hilde Slaman [38]
1966 Leo de Winter Corrie Bakker [39]
1967 Piet Olofsen Mia Gommers [40]
1968 Ed de Noorlander Mia Gommers [41]
1969 Ben Lesterhuis Wilma van den Berg [42]
1970 Bram Wassenaar Ilja Keizer-Laman [43]
1971 Egbert Nijstad Els van Noorduyn [44]
1972 Jos Hermens Ilja Keizer-Laman [45]
1973 Haico Scharn Mieke van Wissen-Sterk [46]
1974 Jos Hermens Ciska Janssen-Jansen [47]
1975 Jos Hermens Mieke van Doorn [48]
1976 Ruud Wielart Ria Stalman [49]
1977 Ruud Wielart Mirjam van Laar [50]
1978 Gerard Tebroke Sylvia Barlag [5]
1979 Harry Schulting Sylvia Barlag [51]
1980 Gerard Nijboer Sylvia Barlag [5]
1981 Hans Koeleman Els Vader [5]
1982 Gerard Nijboer Carla Beurskens [5]
1983 Rob Druppers Ria Stalman [5]
1984 Erik de Bruin Ria Stalman [5]
1985 Rob Druppers Carla Beurskens [5]
1986 Han Kulker Nelli Cooman [52]
1987 Han Kulker Elly van Hulst [5]
1988 Robert de Wit Elly van Hulst [53]
1989 Emiel Mellaard Elly van Hulst [54]
1990 Erik de Bruin Ellen van Langen [55]
1991 Erik de Bruin Letitia Vriesde [56]
1992 Robert de Wit Ellen van Langen [57]
1993 Bert van Vlaanderen not awarded [5]
1994 Bert van Vlaanderen Nelli Fiere-Cooman [58]
1995 Bert van Vlaanderen Sharon Jaklofsky [5]
1996 Marko Koers Sharon Jaklofsky [59]
1997 Marko Koers Corrie de Bruin [5]
1998 Robin Korving Corrie de Bruin [5]
1999 Kamiel Maase Lieja Koeman [60]
2000 Simon Vroemen Lieja Koeman [61]
2001 Kamiel Maase Letitia Vriesde [1]
2002 Simon Vroemen Jacqueline Poelman [1]
2003 Kamiel Maase Lornah Kiplagat [1]
2004 Chiel Warners Karin Ruckstuhl [62]

2005–present

Athlete of the Year[note 6]
Year Men Women Ref.
2005 Rens Blom Lornah Kiplagat [7]
2006 Bram Som Karin Ruckstuhl [8]
2007 Rutger Smith Lornah Kiplagat [63]
2008 Rutger Smith Lornah Kiplagat [64]
2009 Martijn Nuijens Jolanda Keizer [65]
2010 Eelco Sintnicolaas Yvonne Hak [66]
2011 Eelco Sintnicolaas Dafne Schippers [67]
2012 Churandy Martina Dafne Schippers [68]
2013 Ignisious Gaisah Dafne Schippers [69]
2014 Eelco Sintnicolaas Dafne Schippers [70]
2015 Liemarvin Bonevacia Dafne Schippers [71]
2016 Churandy Martina Dafne Schippers [72]
2017 Menno Vloon Dafne Schippers [73]
2018 Sifan Hassan [74]
2019 Sifan Hassan [3]
2020 not awarded[note 7] [1]
2021 Sifan Hassan [4]
2022 Femke Bol [2]
2023 Femke Bol [75]

Notes

  1. ^ The Sauer Cup was awarded in March for performances in the previous year. In this table the year of those performances is listed.
  2. ^ a b There were famine and fighting in the Netherlands during the last two years of World War II. In addition, there were athletics equipment shortages at the time.[18]
  3. ^ The women's 4 × 100 m relay team members were Fanny Blankers-Koen, Martha Adema, Nettie Timmer, and Gerda Koudijs.
  4. ^ The KNAU Cup was awarded in March or April for performances in the previous year. In this table the year of those performances is listed.
  5. ^ The Herman van Leeuwen Cup and the KNAU Cup were awarded in January–April for performances in the previous year. In this table the year of the performances is listed.
  6. ^ The Athlete of the Year was awarded in November or December for performances in that year or in January or February for performances in the previous year. In this table the year of the performances is listed.
  7. ^ Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Toegekende onderscheidingen" (in Dutch), Royal Dutch Athletics Federation, 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023. Archived 25 October 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ^ a b c "Bol ook in Nederland verkozen tot Atleet van het Jaar" (in Dutch), De Telegraaf, 19 November 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2023. Archived 6 October 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ a b "Tot Atleet van het Jaar uitgeroepen Hassan slaat WK indoor over" (in Dutch), NOS, 12 December 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2023. Archived 6 October 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ a b "Sifan Hassan voor derde keer op rij Nederlands atlete van het jaar" (in Dutch), Algemeen Dagblad, 15 December 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2023. Archived 6 October 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Aad Heere & Bart Kappenburg, "Hoofdstuk 25 Onderscheidingen" (in Dutch), 130 jaar atletiek in Nederland (in Dutch), 2000. ISBN 90-9012867-0. Retrieved 6 October 2023. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link).
  6. ^ Robert Misset, "De sport als politiek propaganda-wapen" (in Dutch), Het Parool, 5 May 1990. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Blom en Kiplagat atleten van het jaar" (in Dutch), NU.nl, 7 January 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Bram Som en Karin Ruckstuhl beste atleten" (in Dutch), Trouw, 8 January 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
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  13. ^ "De jaarvergadering van de K.N.A.U." (in Dutch), Arnhemsche Courant, 11 March 1940. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Athletiek voor en achter de groene tafel" (in Dutch), Algemeen Handelsblad, 17 March 1941. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Een welvarende Athletiek Unie" (in Dutch), Het Vaderland, 9 March 1942. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Sauer-beker voor Chr. Berger." (in Dutch), De Telegraaf, 15 March 1943. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
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  18. ^ "De Athletiek-Unie bijeen" (in Dutch), De Waarheid, 11 March 1946. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  19. ^ "K.N.A.U. vergadert" (in Dutch), Algemeen Handelsblad, 10 March 1947. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  20. ^ "KNAU-beker voor Lataster" (in Dutch), Arnhemsche Courant, 9 March 1948. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Jaarvergadering KNAU" (in Dutch), Arnhemsche Courant, 14 March 1949. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  22. ^ "KNAU-beker voor Joop Overdijk" (in Dutch), De Volkskrant, 13 March 1950. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  23. ^ "KNAU-beker voor Wim Slijkhuis" (in Dutch), Het Vrije Volk, 12 March 1951. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  24. ^ "K.N.A.U. heeft toezicht op trainers" (in Dutch), Nieuwsblad van het Noorden, 10 March 1952. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Duitse athleten mogen alleen in grensgebieden starten" (in Dutch), De Volkskrant, 9 March 1953. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  26. ^ "Geen veranderingen in athletiekbeleid" (in Dutch), De Telegraaf, 15 March 1954. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  27. ^ "KNAU krijgt subsidie" (in Dutch), De Volkskrant, 14 March 1955. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Veel oppositie tegen reorganisatie K.N.A.U." (in Dutch), De Tijd, 12 March 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Cie. van beroep met negen man" (in Dutch), De Telegraaf, 8 April 1957. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  30. ^ "Scherpe kritiek op regering" (in Dutch), De Telegraaf, 14 April 1958. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  31. ^ "Dini Hobers kreeg de KNAU-beker" (in Dutch), Het Parool, 13 April 1959. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  32. ^ "Atleten onderscheiden" (in Dutch), De Volkskrant, 11 April 1960. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  33. ^ "Atletiek Unie wil Duitse of Poolse coach" (in Dutch), Het Parool, 13 March 1961. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  34. ^ "Onderscheidingen voor atleten" (in Dutch), Algemeen Dagblad, 19 March 1962. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  35. ^ "Paulen voorzitter en erevoorzitter" (in Dutch), Het Vrije Volk, 18 March 1963. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  36. ^ "Frans Jutte leider van de KNAU" (in Dutch), Het Parool, 16 March 1964. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  37. ^ "„Herenatletiek raakt nog meer achterop...”" (in Dutch), De Telegraaf, 15 March 1965. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  38. ^ "Weinig schokkends op vergadering van atletiekunie" (in Dutch), Het Parool, 14 March 1966. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  39. ^ "Corrie Bakker kreeg de KNAU-beker" (in Dutch), Nieuwsblad van het Noorden, 13 March 1967. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  40. ^ "M. Gommers kreeg Unie-beker J. Hensgens Albert Spree-beker" (in Dutch), Limburgsch Dagblad, 18 March 1968. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  41. ^ "KNAU uit slaap gewekt" (in Dutch), De Volkskrant, 17 March 1969. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  42. ^ "Sfeer bij Atletiekunie opgeklaard" (in Dutch), Het Vrije Volk, 23 March 1970. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  43. ^ "Omstreden begroting KNAU aanvaard" (in Dutch), Limburgsch Dagblad, 22 March 1971. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Laatste jaar Frans Jutte" (in Dutch), Tubantia, 27 March 1972. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  45. ^ "Lemmens en Koomen ereleden van KNAU" (in Dutch), Limburgsch Dagblad, 16 April 1973. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  46. ^ "KNAU stelt positie NOC ter discussie" (in Dutch), Tubantia, 25 March 1974. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  47. ^ "District Noord van de KNAU krijgt de Pim Mulier-beker" (in Dutch), Leeuwarder Courant, 24 March 1975. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  48. ^ "Jos Hermens onderscheiden" (in Dutch), De Telegraaf, 22 March 1976. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  49. ^ "Bea Wiarda krijgt Fanny Blankers-Koen-plaquette" (in Dutch), Leeuwarder Courant, 28 February 1977. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  50. ^ "KNAU onderscheidt Elly van Hulst" (in Dutch), Leeuwarder Courant, 3 April 1978. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  51. ^ "Atletiek" (in Dutch), NRC Handelsblad, 4 February 1980. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  52. ^ "KNAU-beker voor Cooman" (in Dutch), Het Vrije Volk, 6 April 1987. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  53. ^ "Cooman en Van Hulst in het zonnetje gezet" (in Dutch), Algemeen Dagblad, 3 April 1989. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  54. ^ "Unieraad kiest voor directeur/voorzitter" (in Dutch), Het Vrije Volk, 26 March 1990. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  55. ^ "Jennings en Skah houden veldlooptraditie hoog" (in Dutch), De Telegraaf, 25 March 1991. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  56. ^ "Onderzoek KNAU naar 'affaire Ria Stalman'" (in Dutch), NRC Handelsblad, 6 April 1992. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
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  59. ^ "KNAU-prijzen Koers en Jaklofsky" (in Dutch), Leidsch Dagblad, 13 January 1997. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  60. ^ "Beste atleet van 1999" (in Dutch), Leidsch Dagblad, 10 January 2000. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
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  63. ^ "Kiplagat en Smith beste atleten" (in Dutch), De Gelderlander, 5 January 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
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  65. ^ "Nuijens en Keizer gekroond tot beste atleten van 2009" (in Dutch), NU.nl, 31 December 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  66. ^ "Hak en Sintnicolaas atleten van het jaar" (in Dutch), NU.nl, 31 December 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  67. ^ "Schippers en Sintnicolaas beste atleten" (in Dutch), NU.nl, 31 December 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  68. ^ "Prijs voor Martina en Schippers" (in Dutch), NOS, 20 December 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  69. ^ "Gaisah atleet van het jaar" (in Dutch), RTV Rijnmond, 16 January 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
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  72. ^ "Atletiek Schippers voor de zesde keer Nederlands atlete van het jaar" (in Dutch), NU.nl, 11 February 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  73. ^ "Schippers en Vloon atleten van het jaar" (in Dutch), Algemeen Dagblad, 14 December 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  74. ^ "Sifan Hassan na sterk seizoen verkozen tot Atleet van het Jaar" (in Dutch), NU.nl, 12 December 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  75. ^ "Femke Bol voor tweede keer op rij verkozen tot Nederlands atleet van het jaar" (in Dutch), NU.nl, 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
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