Intro:

Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix were named the male and female World Athletes of the Year at the 2012 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) awards at Barcelona in Spain on Saturday.

Script:

United States sprinter Allyson Felix took home the women's IAAF World Athlete of the Year award in Barcelona on Saturday.

Felix won the 200-metre gold medal in London after settling for silver in Beijing.

SOUNDBITE (English) Allyson Felix, IAAF Female World Athlete of the Year 2012:

"To be recognised at the top of my sport is something I never, ever would have imagined. So I'm extremely grateful, my heart is filled with gratitude. Thank you for this huge, huge privilege."

And it was this man Usain Bolt who won the male World Athlete of the Year award for the fourth time over United States hurdler Aries Merritt and Kenyan runner David Rudisha.

SOUNDBITE (English) Usain Bolt, IAAF Male World Athlete of the Year 2012:

"Nine years ago, we (Bolt and Felix) were here and we never knew we'd be back here now - so, for me, it's a pleasure - and that says I'm getting old, so I'm slightly worried. But I'm just going to continue working hard. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season... and (I'm) just going to work hard and try to be the best at what I do. Thank you very much."

Bolt and Felix won the Rising Star awards for the most promising young athletes of the year back in 2003.