October 15, 2026
Usain Bolt on panel to judge photographs for best athletics photograph of the year
Written byDwight Fraser
Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has been named on the panel of five experts to judge all eligible photographs and select three finalists for the best athletics photograph of the year which will once again be presented as part of the World Athletics Awards in 2026.
Bolt who has been the subject of some of the most iconic photographs in athletics, joins Olympic Gold medallist Dawn Harper-Nelson, Christel El Saneh, the Digital Creative Manager at World Athletics, Pascal Rondeau, the venue photo manager at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Photo Chief at Paris 2024.
Also on the panel is Dan Vernon who has been an Athletics photographer and filmmaker for more than a decade.
Any professional photographer who has attended an athletics event in 2026 can take part in the World Athletics photograph of the year, for which entries close on October 30.
The finalists will be revealed on November 9 and a fan vote to help determine the winner will be held on World Athletics’ instagram channel from November 9 to 15 .
The winner will be announced on November 28, ahead of the World Athletics Awards which takes place in Monaco on November 29.
