Portugal's Francis Obikwelu has been voted the Waterford Crystal European Athlete of the Year for 2006.
Obikwelu, the Olympic 100m silver medallist, won the sprint double over 100m and 200m at the European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg last August, breaking the magical ten-second barrier in winning the shorter event.
Obikwelu took the award ahead of reigning title holder and European discus champion Virgilijus Alekna and Javelin sensation Andreas Thorkildsen from Norway.
The European record-holder was delighted with the accolade.
'The award means the world to me and I am really honoured to have won it,' Obikwelu said.
'I’ve had a really good season in 2006 and this just tops it off.'
