Well, we didn’t see Femke Bol vs. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone running head-to-head in the 400m hurdles at the 2025 World Athletics Championships. McLaughlin-Levrone focused on the 400 flat, while Bol still dominated the hurdles. No clash in the lanes, no photo finishes, yet somehow, the rivalry feels hotter than ever again as these two superstars potentially face off. But this time, not on the track, but on the grand stage where every athlete wants to be recognized.

The bombshell came straight from World Athletics. They recently announced the nominees for Track Athlete of the Year 2025, and guess who’s there? Yes, you guessed it: Femke Bol and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Joining them are Beatrice Chebet, Faith Kipyegon, and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden.

The competition is piled up, and it is one to watch, since we may never get to see them race against each other again. As McLaughlin-Levrone switched to the 400m flat, the 400m hurdles appeared to be under Bol’s control until she announced that she would not race in hurdles and would instead make her debut in the 800m next year. “We have decided that I will make the 800m my main event for the next years,” she wrote.  Still, somehow, the confrontation is alive, burning, and not resolved at all.

Go back a few years, and the strain is understandable. Bol has frequently trailed McLaughlin-Levrone in record-breaking races, who shattered world records along the way. Need proof? McLaughlin-Levrone set her own world record to claim Olympic gold in 2024, and Bol was third. The placements were an exact copy of their race at the Tokyo Olympics. During the 2022 World Championships, McLaughlin-Levrone took first place in 50.68 s, and Bol took second place in 52.27 s.

Respect, phenomenal runs, and riotous fan discussion have continued to fuel this Bol vs. McLaughlin-Levrone rivalry despite the two not even being on the same track anymore. And although fans did not receive the fireworks in the 400m hurdle event in 2025, the drama is not yet over. However, here is the question: Who is in charge of this shortlist, and what exactly goes into nominating the nominees?

Breaking down the selection process

So, why are some big names missing from the list this year? Well, here’s the deal. A panel of international experts puts together a long list of nominees for each award. Then the World Athletics Council votes, which counts for 50% of the result. The remaining 50% comes from the World Athletics Family and social media votes, 25% each. Fans take their turn too; register on World Athletics+ and vote for your favorites from 13 to 19 October.

On the women’s side, Femke Bol dominated all season, beginning with her Diamond League crown and culminating in her world title. Beatrice Chebet did the distance double at Worlds. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden had the meet of a lifetime at Worlds, snatching all 3 sprint wins, while her compatriot Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone bossed the 400m, coming within striking distance of Marita Koch’s longstanding record. And Faith Kipyegon was crowned 1500m world champion.

On the men’s side, the nominees are stacked. Rai Benjamin took the 400m hurdles crown with two of the top three performances of the year. Jimmy Gressier crushed the 10,000m and Diamond League 3000m. Noah Lyles was unbeaten in the 200m and bagged the 200m and 4x100m world titles. Cordell Tinch ruled the 110m hurdles at the World and Diamond League. And Emmanuel Wanyonyi dominated the 800m.

Of course, last year’s winners, Sifan Hassan and Letsile Tebogo, set the bar ridiculously high at the 2024 World Athletics Awards in Monaco. That’s why this year’s race for the crown, both men and women, is worth watching. The fan votes, the expert panel, and the social media hype all come together to see who truly takes the spotlight. And the excitement is just getting started after watching Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone go up against Femke Bol yet again!