SEA Ambassador Rhydian Cowley has been named as BBC’s World Athlete of the Year

Rhydian Cowley. Australian race walker, SEA Ambassador and bronze medallist in the marathon race walk mixed relay at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, was recently named the Green ‘World Athlete of the Year', in recognition of his climate advocacy and promotion of environmental sustainability at both local and global levels.

Cowley, who is a member of the World Athletics Champions for a Better World programme, said: “Taking action on climate change is the best way to respond to its impacts, which are already affecting our lives and our sports - impacts that I have experienced first hand in competition and training.

“Winning this Green Sports award helps me to feel like the route I've taken is making a valuable contribution and supports me to continue my own climate action journey,” Cowley continued.