Like every year since 1975, our colleagues at The Team have elected the “Champion of Champions”. This title designates the best athlete of the year, all disciplines combined. And in view of the 2024 season of Tadej Pogacar – undoubtedly the greatest season for a cyclist in all of History – the Slovenian could hope to win this trophy. But he unfortunately failed in 3rd place, beaten by the French Leon Marchand (Swimming)… but also by the Swede Armand Duplantis (Athletics).
Video – Tadej Pogacar was still crowned at the 2024 Vélo d’Or
No winning cyclist since… 1989
If it seemed obvious enough that Pogacar was in battle with Marchand (“favorite” of the Paris Olympics) and his 4 gold medals, find him behind the Duplantis is more surprising. Cycling is unfortunately once again left aside, since this title has only been won once by an athlete of our sport, in 1989, by Greg Lemond (UNITED STATES).
For women, it’s the American Simone Biles (Gymnastics) who was crowned “Champion of Champions”… for the 5th time! First cyclist, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) took 7th place. On the other hand, no top 10 for Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (France). Also note the 2nd and 3rd places of Sarah Stoney (Great Britain) and Alexandre Léauté (France) for the Para Women and Men titles.
“Champion of Champions” rankings
*From a list of nominees, each journalist in the group The Team establishes its ranking for able-bodied people and now since 2023 for para sportspeople. The 2024 ranking was established following a secret ballot, closed on November 11.
Men
1. Léon Marchand (France, Swimming) 1118 points
2. Armand Duplantis (Sweden, Athletics) 778 points
3. Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia, Cycling) 759 points
…
9. Harrie Lavreysen (Netherlands, Cycling) 74 points
10. Remco Evenepoel (Belgium, Cycling) 72 points
Women
1. Simone Biles (United States, Gymnastics) 1100 points
2. Summer McIntosh (Canada, Natation) 580 points
3. Katie Ledecky (United States, Swimming) 552 points
…
7. Lotte Kopecky (Belgium, Cycling) 206 points
Para Men
1. Gabriel dos Santos Araujo (Brazil, Para-Swimming) 595 points
2. Ihar Boki (Belarus, Para-Swimming) 478 points
3. Alexandre Léauté (France, Para-Cycling) 429 points
Para Women
1. Yuyan Jiang (China, Para-Swimming) 901 points
2. Sarah Storey (Great Britain, Para-Cycling) 720 points
3. Catherine Debrunner (Switzerland, Para-Athletics) 634 points
