USA Track & Field – News – Cain and Salazar Accept Awards at 2013 World Athletics Gala

MONACO — It’s been a whirlwind weekend for Mary Cain (Bronxville, N.Y.), who accepted the Female Rising Star Award at IAAF World Athletics Gala held at the Salle des Etoiles of the Sporting Club d’Eté in Monaco. Cain’s coach Alberto Salazar was also honored by the IAAF, as he received the IAAF Coaching Achievement Award.

For Cain, who announced yesterday that she would forego collegiate track in favor of a professional career, the award caps a phenomenal 2013 season. Cain is the youngest American athlete ever to represent the United States at a World Championships meet, having qualified for the U.S. team with her second-place in the women’s 1,500 meters at the 2013 USA Outdoor Championships.

Cain was impressive on the world stage, finishing fifth in the semifinals of the women’s 1,500m at the 2013 IAAF World Championships with a time of 4:05.21, becoming the youngest 1,500m finalist in World Championships history. She set seven national high school records in 2013 along with five national junior records.

Salazar was honored for his work with Cain, as well as Mo Farah and Galen Rupp, among others. Farah became both a double world and Olympic champion over the last two seasons, winning the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at both the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2013 World Championships. Farah also broke the European 1,500m record in 2013, making him the sixth-fastest man ever in 3:28.81.

Rupp won his fifth consecutive title in the men’s 10,000 meters at USA Outdoors, qualifying for his fourth World Championships team. The Olympic silver medalist and American record holder in the event, Rupp placed fourth in Russia with a season’s best of 27:24.39.

Amanda Brooks
Marketing and Communications Manager
USA Track & Field
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