American Gymnast Simone Bilas was named the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Individual Sport Sportswoman of the Year on Wednesday in New York City. Bilas supplants swimmer Missy Franklin as the defending Sportswoman of the Year.
Swimmers have a long history with this award, including Franklin’s win last year, though it has been largely among Americans. This year, the one swimming nominee was Hungarian superstar Katinka Hosszu, whose 2014 season so far has included breaking World Records in the 100, 200 and 400 meter IM’s in short course, plus three European Championship golds and six total medals.
Despite the success that swimmers like Hosszu and American Katie Ledecky had in 2014, it’s hard to argue against Bilas, who dominated the 2014 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. In total, she won four gold medals, including the all-around title and as part of Team USA’s team title in Nanning, China.
The women’s award for a team sport went to Meryl Davis, who with partner Charlie White became the first American duo to ever win Olympic gold in ice dancing.
2014 Nominees:
Individual Sport
• Jamie Anderson, Snowboarding
• Simone Biles, Gymnastics
• Marie Bochet, Paralympic Alpine Skiing
• Darya Domracheva, Biathlon
• Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Track and Field
• Katinka Hosszu, Swimming
• Stacy Lewis, Golf
• Tina Maze, Alpine Skiing
• Jamie Whitmore, Paralympic Cycling
• Serena Williams, Tennis
• Ireen Wust, Speed Skating
Team Sport
• Nadine Angerer, Soccer
• Valerie Arioto, Softball
• Meryl Davis, Figure Skating
• Annika Dries, Water polo
• Alisha Glass, Volleyball
• Kaillie Humpries and Heather Moyse, Bobsled
• Jennifer Jones, Curling
• Maya Moore, Basketball
• April Ross and Kerri Walsh-Jennings, Beach Volleyball
• Florence Schelling, Ice Hockey
Past Winners:
Past Individual Sport Winners
| Simone Biles | 2014 | |
| Missy Franklin | 2013 | |
| Gabby Douglas | 2012 | |
| Yani Tseng | 2011 | |
| Yuna Kim | 2010 | |
| Courtney Kupets | 2009 | |
| Nastia Liukin | 2008 | |
| Lorena Ochoa | 2007 | |
| Melanie Troxel | 2006 | |
| Erin Popovich | 2005 | |
| Annika Sorenstam | 2004 | |
| Natalie Coughlin | 2003 | |
| Sarah Hughes | 2002 | |
| Stacy Dragila | 2001 | |
| Jenny Thompson | 2000 | |
| Juli Inkster | 1999 | |
| Michelle Kwan | 1998 | |
| Gail Devers | 1997 | |
| Amy Van Dyken | 1996 | |
| Bonnie Blair | 1995 | |
| Bonnie Blair | 1994 | |
| Julie Krone | 1993 |
Past Team Sport Winners
| Meryl Davis | 2014 | |
| Candace Parker | 2013 | |
| Alex Morgan | 2012 | |
| Abby Wambach | 2011 | |
| Katie O’Donnell | 2010 | |
| Jessie Vetter | 2009 | |
| Jessica Mendoza | 2008 | |
| Monica Abbott | 2007 | |
| Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh | 2006 | |
| Cat Osterman | 2005 | |
| Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh | 2004 | |
| Lisa Leslie | 2003 | |
| Sue Bird | 2002 | |
| Lisa Leslie | 2001 | |
| Serena & Venus Williams | 2000 | |
| Mia Hamm | 1999 | |
| Cynthia Cooper | 1998 | |
| Mia Hamm | 1997 | |
| Teresa Edwards | 1996 | |
| Rebecca Lobo | 1995 | |
| Lisa Fernandez | 1994 | |
| Sheryl Swoopes | 1993 |
Past Professional Winners
| Pat Bradley | 1992 | |
| Meg Mallon | 1991 | |
| Paula Newby-Fraser | 1990 | |
| Steffi Graf | 1989 | |
| Susan Butcher | 1988 | |
| Susan Butcher | 1987 | |
| Lynette Woodard | 1986 | |
| Libby Riddles | 1985 | |
| Martina Navratilova | 1984 | |
| Martina Navratilova | 1983 | |
| Martina Navratilova | 1982 | |
| Chris Evert | 1981 | |
| Tracy Austin | 1980 |
Past Amateur Winners
| Jackie Joyner-Kersee | 1992 | |
| Jean Driscoll | 1991 | |
| Lori Norwood | 1990 | |
| Janet Evans | 1989 | |
| Jackie Joyner-Kersee | 1988 | |
| Jackie Joyner-Kersee | 1987 | |
| Debi Thomas | 1986 | |
| Michele Mitchell | 1985 | |
| Joan Benoit | 1984 | |
| Mary Lou Retton | 1984 | |
| Mary Decker | 1983 | |
| Mary Decker | 1982 | |
| Tracy Caulkins | 1981 | |
| Mary Decker | 1980 |
Ledecky not nominated! 😯
It’s hilarious.
What can she do more than she did?
I like cross-country skiing and winter sports overall and Marit Bjoergen deserves a nomination too. 3 gold medals at the olympic games. Amazing career.
Same for Tatyana McFadden, paralympian athlete, who won a medal at the winter olympic games and then has won all marathons she has done.
And why they don’t wait for the end of the year before giving awards?
The year of sport isn’t over yet!
Ledecky should have at least been nominated, especially since Hosszu was – Ledecky’s year more impressive than Hosszu’s in my opinion