SIMONA WINS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD

LONDON -- Russia's Alexei Nemov and Romania's Simona Amanar each won the title "Athlete
of the Year" in their respective categories for men's and women's athletics at the 2000
World Sports Awards, held on January 16th in London.

The awards jury was composed of athletes, sports officials and journalists, with one extra
vote being awarded to the athlete who earned the most online votes. Earlier this month,
both Nemov and Amanar triumphed in the internet voting.