{{Short description|Athletics award in the Netherlands}} {{Featured list}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} [[File:Jessica Schilder Belgrade 2022.jpg|thumb|alt=Photo of Jessica Schilder holding up a flag behind her|Shot-putter Jessica Schilder was Dutch Athlete of the Year for the first time in 2025.]] [[File:Dafne Schippers2 Portland 2016.jpg|thumb|alt=Photo of Dafne Schippers with a dark background|Sprinter and heptathlete Dafne Schippers won from 2011 to 2017, more times than any other athlete.]] [[File:Tinus Osendarp.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Photo of Tinus Osendarp holding his arms wide at the finish line with an audience in the background|Sprinter Tinus Osendarp was the first winner for 1935, when it was called the Sauer Cup.]]
The '''Dutch Athlete of the Year''' ({{langx|nl|atleet van het jaar}}) is an annual award given to the most distinguished competitor in the sport of athletics from the Netherlands by the Royal Dutch Athletics Federation (KNAU).<ref name="knau20231025">"[https://d3qypn9ol02ky4.cloudfront.net/De-Atletiekunie/Toegekende-onderscheidingen-versie-25-oktober-2023.pdf?v=1698233196 Toegekende onderscheidingen]" (in Dutch), ''Royal Dutch Athletics Federation'', 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025122055/https://d3qypn9ol02ky4.cloudfront.net/De-Atletiekunie/Toegekende-onderscheidingen-versie-25-oktober-2023.pdf?v=1698233196 |date=25 October 2023 }}.</ref> A shortlist is drawn up by a group of federation officials and sports journalists and then goes to a vote to the public.<ref name="knau20231025"/><ref name="telegraaf2022">"[https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/187800646/bol-ook-in-nederland-verkozen-tot-atleet-van-het-jaar Bol ook in Nederland verkozen tot Atleet van het Jaar]" (in Dutch), ''De Telegraaf'', 19 November 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2023. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006175305/https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/187800646/bol-ook-in-nederland-verkozen-tot-atleet-van-het-jaar |date=6 October 2023 }}.</ref> The award is presented at the annual end-of-year gala of the federation.<ref name="telegraaf2022"/><ref name="nos2019">"[https://nos.nl/artikel/2314482-tot-atleet-van-het-jaar-uitgeroepen-hassan-slaat-wk-indoor-over Tot Atleet van het Jaar uitgeroepen Hassan slaat WK indoor over]" (in Dutch), ''NOS'', 12 December 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2023. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006175308/https://nos.nl/artikel/2314482-tot-atleet-van-het-jaar-uitgeroepen-hassan-slaat-wk-indoor-over |date=6 October 2023 }}.</ref><ref name="ad2021">"[https://www.ad.nl/andere-sporten/sifan-hassan-voor-derde-keer-op-rij-nederlands-atlete-van-het-jaar~ac9dea6d/ Sifan Hassan voor derde keer op rij Nederlands atlete van het jaar]" (in Dutch), ''Algemeen Dagblad'', 15 December 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2023. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006175305/https://www.ad.nl/andere-sporten/sifan-hassan-voor-derde-keer-op-rij-nederlands-atlete-van-het-jaar~ac9dea6d/ |date=6 October 2023 }}.</ref>
The award for 1935 was inaugurated in 1936 as the Sauer Cup ({{langx|nl|Sauer-beker}}). It was renamed to the KNAU Cup in 1947, as the eponymous Sauer had collaborated with the Nazis during World War II.<ref name="130yearsathletics">Aad Heere & Bart Kappenburg, "[http://atletiekerfgoed.nl/images/130jaar/Hoofdstuk_25.pdf Hoofdstuk 25 Onderscheidingen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007120359/http://atletiekerfgoed.nl/images/130jaar/Hoofdstuk_25.pdf |date=7 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''[http://atletiekerfgoed.nl/index.php/bibliotheek/130-jaar-atletiek 130 jaar atletiek in Nederland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601215515/http://atletiekerfgoed.nl/index.php/bibliotheek/130-jaar-atletiek |date=1 June 2023 }}'' (in Dutch), 2000. {{ISBN|90-9012867-0}}. Retrieved 6 October 2023. {{Cite web |url=http://atletiekerfgoed.nl/images/130jaar/Hoofdstuk_25.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=6 October 2023 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007120359/http://atletiekerfgoed.nl/images/130jaar/Hoofdstuk_25.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown }}.</ref><ref>Robert Misset, "[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010833599:mpeg21:a0850 De sport als politiek propaganda-wapen]" (in Dutch), ''Het Parool'', 5 May 1990. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> Initially a mixed-gender award, the best Dutch male and female athletes were recognised separately from 1959 onwards. The men's award was called the Herman van Leeuwen Cup during this period, while the women's award continued as the KNAU Cup. Since 2005, the awards have been known as the Dutch Athlete of the Year,<ref name="nu2006">"[https://www.nu.nl/sport/652624/blom-en-kiplagat-atleten-van-het-jaar.html Blom en Kiplagat atleten van het jaar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://www.nu.nl/sport/652624/blom-en-kiplagat-atleten-van-het-jaar.html |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NU.nl'', 7 January 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref><ref name="trouw2007">"[https://www.trouw.nl/home/bram-som-en-karin-ruckstuhl-beste-atleten~b06ef7e5/ Bram Som en Karin Ruckstuhl beste atleten] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202913/https://www.trouw.nl/home/bram-som-en-karin-ruckstuhl-beste-atleten~b06ef7e5/ |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''Trouw'', 8 January 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> and since 2018, it is again a mixed-gender award.<ref name="knau20231025"/>
Junior athletes also gained recognition separately through the mixed-gender Albert Spree Cup ({{langx|nl|Albert Spree-beker}}) that was first awarded in 1951.<ref name="130yearsathletics"/> From 1959, male and female juniors were recognised separately; junior female athletes gained recognition through the Fanny Blankers-Koen Plaquette, while the award for junior male athletes continued as the Albert Spree Cup.<ref name="130yearsathletics"/> These were replaced in 2006 by a mixed-gender junior award known as the Talent of the Year. Since 2018, this award has been merged with the Dutch Athlete of the Year award. In the years between 2011 and 2018, a separate award for para-athletes also existed.<ref name="knau20231025"/>
==List of winners==
===1935–1946=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Sauer Cup{{Refn|group="note"|The Sauer Cup was awarded in March for performances in the previous year. In this table the year of those performances is listed.}} |- !scope="col"| Year !scope="col" style="width:170px;"| Athlete !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- !scope="row"| 1935 | Tinus Osendarp |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="ah1936">"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010664656:mpeg21:a0390 Athletiekparlement bijeen]" (in Dutch), ''Algemeen Handelsblad'', 16 March 1936. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1936 | Wil van Beveren |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010664247:mpeg21:a0413 Athletiekparlement oefent critiek]" (in Dutch), ''Algemeen Handelsblad'', 15 March 1937. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1937 | Fanny Koen |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBNRC01:000087686:mpeg21:a0198 K.N.A.U. vergadert]" (in Dutch), ''Algemeen Handelsblad'', 14 March 1938. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1938 | Nel van Balen Blanken |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBNRC01:000052850:mpeg21:a0188 Athletiek-parlement bijeen]" (in Dutch), ''Algemeen Handelsblad'', 13 March 1939. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1939 | Jan Brasser |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010997706:mpeg21:a0178 De jaarvergadering van de K.N.A.U.]" (in Dutch), ''Arnhemsche Courant'', 11 March 1940. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1940 | Fanny Blankers-Koen |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBNRC01:000059136:mpeg21:a0102 Athletiek voor en achter de groene tafel]" (in Dutch), ''Algemeen Handelsblad'', 17 March 1941. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1941 | Wim Peters |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010020167:mpeg21:a0043 Een welvarende Athletiek Unie]" (in Dutch), ''Het Vaderland'', 9 March 1942. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1942 | Chris Berger |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:110584208:mpeg21:a0056 Sauer-beker voor Chr. Berger.]" (in Dutch), ''De Telegraaf'', 15 March 1943. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1943 | Fanny Blankers-Koen |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010326496:mpeg21:a0030 Nederlandsche Athletiek Unie]" (in Dutch), ''Nieuwsblad van het Noorden'', 14 March 1944. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1944 | {{n/a|''not awarded''{{Refn|name="wwii"|group="note"|There were famine and fighting in the Netherlands during the last two years of World War II. In addition, there were athletics equipment shortages at the time.<ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010850081:mpeg21:a0046 De Athletiek-Unie bijeen]" (in Dutch), ''De Waarheid'', 11 March 1946. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref>}}}} |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1945 | {{n/a|''not awarded''{{Refn|name="wwii"|group="note"}}}} |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1946 | Women's relay team{{Refn|group="note"|The women's 4 × 100 m relay team members were Fanny Blankers-Koen, Martha Adema, Nettie Timmer, and Gerda Koudijs.}} |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBNRC01:000046551:mpeg21:a0037 K.N.A.U. vergadert]" (in Dutch), ''Algemeen Handelsblad'', 10 March 1947. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |}
===1947–1958=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+ KNAU Cup{{Refn|group="note"|The KNAU Cup was awarded in March or April for performances in the previous year. In this table the year of those performances is listed.}} |- !scope="col"| Year !scope="col" style="width:170px;"| Athlete !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- !scope="row"| 1947 | Jef Lataster |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=MMKB08:000113129:mpeg21:a0059 KNAU-beker voor Lataster]" (in Dutch), ''Arnhemsche Courant'', 9 March 1948. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1948 | Frits de Ruijter |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=MMKB08:000111390:mpeg21:a0025 Jaarvergadering KNAU]" (in Dutch), ''Arnhemsche Courant'', 14 March 1949. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1949 | Joop Overdijk |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010844313:mpeg21:a0150 KNAU-beker voor Joop Overdijk]" (in Dutch), ''De Volkskrant'', 13 March 1950. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1950 | Wim Slijkhuis |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010950722:mpeg21:a0097 KNAU-beker voor Wim Slijkhuis]" (in Dutch), ''Het Vrije Volk'', 12 March 1951. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1951 | Nico Lutkeveld |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010679385:mpeg21:a0117 K.N.A.U. heeft toezicht op trainers]" (in Dutch), ''Nieuwsblad van het Noorden'', 10 March 1952. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1952 | Puck Brouwer |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBNRC01:000046701:mpeg21:a0061 Duitse athleten mogen alleen in grensgebieden starten]" (in Dutch), ''De Volkskrant'', 9 March 1953. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1953 | Wil Lust |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:110585862:mpeg21:a0199 Geen veranderingen in athletiekbeleid]" (in Dutch), ''De Telegraaf'', 15 March 1954. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1954 | Janus van der Zande |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010843893:mpeg21:a0166 KNAU krijgt subsidie]" (in Dutch), ''De Volkskrant'', 14 March 1955. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1955 | Cor Aafjes |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:011207857:mpeg21:a0168 Veel oppositie tegen reorganisatie K.N.A.U.]" (in Dutch), ''De Tijd'', 12 March 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1956 | Frans Künen |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:110586900:mpeg21:a0234 Cie. van beroep met negen man]" (in Dutch), ''De Telegraaf'', 8 April 1957. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1957 | Hannie Bloemhof |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:110587211:mpeg21:a0269 Scherpe kritiek op regering]" (in Dutch), ''De Telegraaf'', 14 April 1958. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1958 | Dini Hobers |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010838874:mpeg21:a0213 Dini Hobers kreeg de KNAU-beker]" (in Dutch), ''Het Parool'', 13 April 1959. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |}
===1959–2004=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Herman van Leeuwen Cup and KNAU Cup{{Refn|group="note"|The Herman van Leeuwen Cup and the KNAU Cup were awarded in January–April for performances in the previous year. In this table the year of the performances is listed.}} |- !scope="col"| Year !scope="col" style="width:170px;"| Men !scope="col" style="width:170px;"| Women !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- !scope="row"| 1959 | Eef Kamerbeek || Gerda Kraan |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010875532:mpeg21:a0184 Atleten onderscheiden]" (in Dutch), ''De Volkskrant'', 11 April 1960. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1960 | Eef Kamerbeek || Joke Bijleveld |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010839260:mpeg21:a0177 Atletiek Unie wil Duitse of Poolse coach]" (in Dutch), ''Het Parool'', 13 March 1961. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1961 | Cees Koch || Gerda Kraan |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBPERS01:002798016:mpeg21:a00122 Onderscheidingen voor atleten]" (in Dutch), ''Algemeen Dagblad'', 19 March 1962. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1962 | Cees Koch || Gerda Kraan |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010954095:mpeg21:a0219 Paulen voorzitter en erevoorzitter]" (in Dutch), ''Het Vrije Volk'', 18 March 1963. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1963 | Henk Evers || Lia Hinten |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010836664:mpeg21:a0211 Frans Jutte leider van de KNAU]" (in Dutch), ''Het Parool'', 16 March 1964. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1964 | Frans Luitjes || Tilly van der Made |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:110588763:mpeg21:a0291 „Herenatletiek raakt nog meer achterop...”]" (in Dutch), ''De Telegraaf'', 15 March 1965. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1965 | Fred van Herpen || Ilja Laman & Hilde Slaman |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010835996:mpeg21:a0253 Weinig schokkends op vergadering van atletiekunie]" (in Dutch), ''Het Parool'', 14 March 1966. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1966 | Leo de Winter || Corrie Bakker |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010870128:mpeg21:a0274 Corrie Bakker kreeg de KNAU-beker]" (in Dutch), ''Nieuwsblad van het Noorden'', 13 March 1967. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1967 | Piet Olofsen || Mia Gommers |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010539119:mpeg21:a0236 M. Gommers kreeg Unie-beker J. Hensgens Albert Spree-beker]" (in Dutch), ''Limburgsch Dagblad'', 18 March 1968. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1968 | Ed de Noorlander || Mia Gommers |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010848223:mpeg21:a0196 KNAU uit slaap gewekt]" (in Dutch), ''De Volkskrant'', 17 March 1969. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1969 | Ben Lesterhuis || Wilma van den Berg |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010957189:mpeg21:a0335 Sfeer bij Atletiekunie opgeklaard]" (in Dutch), ''Het Vrije Volk'', 23 March 1970. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1970 | Bram Wassenaar || Ilja Keizer-Laman |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010556055:mpeg21:a0186 Omstreden begroting KNAU aanvaard]" (in Dutch), ''Limburgsch Dagblad'', 22 March 1971. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1971 | Egbert Nijstad || Els van Noorduyn |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBPERS01:003345023:mpeg21:a00247 Laatste jaar Frans Jutte]" (in Dutch), ''Tubantia'', 27 March 1972. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1972 | Jos Hermens || Ilja Keizer-Laman |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010561099:mpeg21:a0205 Lemmens en Koomen ereleden van KNAU]" (in Dutch), ''Limburgsch Dagblad'', 16 April 1973. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1973 | Haico Scharn || Mieke van Wissen-Sterk |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBPERS01:003420021:mpeg21:a00227 KNAU stelt positie NOC ter discussie]" (in Dutch), ''Tubantia'', 25 March 1974. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1974 | Jos Hermens || Ciska Janssen-Jansen |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010619903:mpeg21:a0292 District Noord van de KNAU krijgt de Pim Mulier-beker]" (in Dutch), ''Leeuwarder Courant'', 24 March 1975. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1975 | Jos Hermens || Mieke van Doorn |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:011199989:mpeg21:a0236 Jos Hermens onderscheiden]" (in Dutch), ''De Telegraaf'', 22 March 1976. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1976 | Ruud Wielart || Ria Stalman |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010620457:mpeg21:a0330 Bea Wiarda krijgt Fanny Blankers-Koen-plaquette]" (in Dutch), ''Leeuwarder Courant'', 28 February 1977. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1977 | Ruud Wielart || Mirjam van Laar |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010620789:mpeg21:a0285 KNAU onderscheidt Elly van Hulst]" (in Dutch), ''Leeuwarder Courant'', 3 April 1978. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1978 | Gerard Tebroke || Sylvia Barlag |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1979 | Harry Schulting || Sylvia Barlag |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBNRC01:000026915:mpeg21:a0091 Atletiek]" (in Dutch), ''NRC Handelsblad'', 4 February 1980. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1980 | Gerard Nijboer || Sylvia Barlag |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1981 | Hans Koeleman || Els Vader |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1982 | Gerard Nijboer || Carla Beurskens |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1983 | Rob Druppers || Ria Stalman |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1984 | Erik de Bruin || Ria Stalman |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1985 | Rob Druppers || Carla Beurskens |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1986 | Han Kulker || Nelli Cooman |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010962375:mpeg21:a0398 KNAU-beker voor Cooman]" (in Dutch), ''Het Vrije Volk'', 6 April 1987. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1987 | Han Kulker || Elly van Hulst |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1988 | Robert de Wit || Elly van Hulst |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBPERS01:003071002:mpeg21:a00233 Cooman en Van Hulst in het zonnetje gezet]" (in Dutch), ''Algemeen Dagblad'', 3 April 1989. Retrieved 25 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1989 | Emiel Mellaard || Elly van Hulst |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010963483:mpeg21:a0398 Unieraad kiest voor directeur/voorzitter]" (in Dutch), ''Het Vrije Volk'', 26 March 1990. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1990 | Erik de Bruin || Ellen van Langen |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010646512:mpeg21:a0431 Jennings en Skah houden veldlooptraditie hoog]" (in Dutch), ''De Telegraaf'', 25 March 1991. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1991 | Erik de Bruin || Letitia Vriesde |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/1992/04/06/onderzoek-knau-naar-affaire-ria-stalman-7139024-a1221275 Onderzoek KNAU naar 'affaire Ria Stalman'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/1992/04/06/onderzoek-knau-naar-affaire-ria-stalman-7139024-a1221275 |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NRC Handelsblad'', 6 April 1992. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1992 | Robert de Wit || Ellen van Langen |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010866234:mpeg21:a0136 Van Langen krijgt beker van KNAU]" (in Dutch), ''De Volkskrant'', 11 January 1993. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1993 | Bert van Vlaanderen || {{n/a|''not awarded''}} |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1994 | Bert van Vlaanderen || Nelli Fiere-Cooman |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBPERS01:003249010:mpeg21:a00188 Van Vlaanderen in de prijzen]" (in Dutch), ''Algemeen Dagblad'', 12 January 1995. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1995 | Bert van Vlaanderen || Sharon Jaklofsky |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1996 | Marko Koers || Sharon Jaklofsky |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/1997-01-13/edition/0/page/23 KNAU-prijzen Koers en Jaklofsky] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/1997-01-13/edition/0/page/23 |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''Leidsch Dagblad'', 13 January 1997. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 1997 | Marko Koers || Corrie de Bruin |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1998 | Robin Korving || Corrie de Bruin |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="130yearsathletics"/> |- !scope="row"| 1999 | Kamiel Maase || Lieja Koeman |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/2000-01-10/edition/0/page/19 Beste atleet van 1999] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202917/https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/2000-01-10/edition/0/page/19 |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''Leidsch Dagblad'', 10 January 2000. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2000 | Simon Vroemen || Lieja Koeman |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2001/01/03/vroemen-gekozen-tot-beste-atleet-7524495-a542615 Vroemen gekozen tot beste atleet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2001/01/03/vroemen-gekozen-tot-beste-atleet-7524495-a542615 |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NRC Handelsblad'', 3 January 2001. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2001 | Kamiel Maase || Letitia Vriesde |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="knau20231025"/> |- !scope="row"| 2002 | Simon Vroemen || Jacqueline Poelman |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="knau20231025"/> |- !scope="row"| 2003 | Kamiel Maase || Lornah Kiplagat |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="knau20231025"/> |- !scope="row"| 2004 | Chiel Warners || Karin Ruckstuhl |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>"[https://www.nu.nl/sport/465675/meerkampers-warners-en-ruckstuhl-atleten-2004.html Meerkampers Warners en Ruckstuhl atleten 2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://www.nu.nl/sport/465675/meerkampers-warners-en-ruckstuhl-atleten-2004.html |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NU.nl'', 8 January 2005. Retrieved 8 October 2023.</ref> |}
===2005–present=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Athlete of the Year{{Refn|group="note"|The Athlete of the Year was awarded in November or December for performances in that year or in January or February for performances in the previous year. In this table the year of the performances is listed. }} |- !scope="col"| Year !scope="col" style="width:170px;"| Men !scope="col" style="width:170px;"| Women !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- !scope="row"| 2005 | Rens Blom || Lornah Kiplagat |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="nu2006"/> |- !scope="row"| 2006 | Bram Som || Karin Ruckstuhl |style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="trouw2007"/> |- !scope="row"| 2007 | Rutger Smith || Lornah Kiplagat |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://www.gelderlander.nl/overig/kiplagat-en-smith-beste-atleten~a825dc85/ Kiplagat en Smith beste atleten] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://www.gelderlander.nl/overig/kiplagat-en-smith-beste-atleten~a825dc85/ |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''De Gelderlander'', 5 January 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2008 | Rutger Smith || Lornah Kiplagat |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://www.nu.nl/sport/1896972/kiplagat-en-smith-atleten-2008.html Kiplagat en Smith atleten 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://www.nu.nl/sport/1896972/kiplagat-en-smith-atleten-2008.html |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NU.nl'', 10 January 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2009 | Martijn Nuijens || Jolanda Keizer |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://www.nu.nl/sport-overig/2153602/nuijens-en-keizer-gekroond-beste-atleten-van-2009.html Nuijens en Keizer gekroond tot beste atleten van 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202916/https://www.nu.nl/sport-overig/2153602/nuijens-en-keizer-gekroond-beste-atleten-van-2009.html |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NU.nl'', 31 December 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2010 | Eelco Sintnicolaas || Yvonne Hak |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://www.nu.nl/overig/2413013/hak-en-sintnicolaas-atleten-van-jaar.html Hak en Sintnicolaas atleten van het jaar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://www.nu.nl/overig/2413013/hak-en-sintnicolaas-atleten-van-jaar.html |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NU.nl'', 31 December 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2011 | Eelco Sintnicolaas || Dafne Schippers |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://www.nu.nl/sport-overig/2704881/schippers-en-sintnicolaas-beste-atleten.html Schippers en Sintnicolaas beste atleten] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202915/https://www.nu.nl/sport-overig/2704881/schippers-en-sintnicolaas-beste-atleten.html |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NU.nl'', 31 December 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2012 | Churandy Martina || Dafne Schippers |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://nos.nl/artikel/453927-prijs-voor-martina-en-schippers Prijs voor Martina en Schippers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://nos.nl/artikel/453927-prijs-voor-martina-en-schippers |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NOS'', 20 December 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2013 | Ignisious Gaisah || Dafne Schippers |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/111344/gaisah-atleet-van-het-jaar Gaisah atleet van het jaar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202916/https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/111344/gaisah-atleet-van-het-jaar |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''RTV Rijnmond'', 16 January 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2014 | Eelco Sintnicolaas || Dafne Schippers |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://nos.nl/artikel/2014830-schippers-en-sintnicolaas-atleten-van-het-jaar Schippers en Sintnicolaas atleten van het jaar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://nos.nl/artikel/2014830-schippers-en-sintnicolaas-atleten-van-het-jaar |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NOS'', 22 January 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2015 | Liemarvin Bonevacia || Dafne Schippers |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://www.nu.nl/sport-overig/4205469/schippers-verkozen-nederlands-atlete-van-jaar.html Atletiek Schippers verkozen tot Nederlands Atlete van het Jaar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202916/https://www.nu.nl/sport-overig/4205469/schippers-verkozen-nederlands-atlete-van-jaar.html |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NU.nl''. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2016 | Churandy Martina || Dafne Schippers |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://www.nu.nl/sport-overig/4461054/schippers-zesde-keer-nederlands-atlete-van-jaar.html Atletiek Schippers voor de zesde keer Nederlands atlete van het jaar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://www.nu.nl/sport-overig/4461054/schippers-zesde-keer-nederlands-atlete-van-jaar.html |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NU.nl'', 11 February 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2017 | Menno Vloon || Dafne Schippers |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://www.ad.nl/andere-sporten/schippers-en-vloon-atleten-van-het-jaar~a3e4d6cd/ Schippers en Vloon atleten van het jaar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202914/https://www.ad.nl/andere-sporten/schippers-en-vloon-atleten-van-het-jaar~a3e4d6cd/ |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''Algemeen Dagblad'', 14 December 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2018 | colspan=2| Sifan Hassan |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://www.nu.nl/sport-overig/5626892/sifan-hassan-sterk-seizoen-verkozen-atleet-van-jaar.html Sifan Hassan na sterk seizoen verkozen tot Atleet van het Jaar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009202916/https://www.nu.nl/sport-overig/5626892/sifan-hassan-sterk-seizoen-verkozen-atleet-van-jaar.html |date=9 October 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NU.nl'', 12 December 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2019 | colspan=2| Sifan Hassan |style="text-align:center"| <ref name="nos2019"/> |- !scope="row"| 2020 | colspan=2 {{n/a|''not awarded''<ref group="note">Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic</ref>}} |style="text-align:center"| <ref name="knau20231025"/> |- !scope="row"| 2021 | colspan=2| Sifan Hassan |style="text-align:center"| <ref name="ad2021"/> |- !scope="row"| 2022 | colspan=2| Femke Bol |style="text-align:center"| <ref name="telegraaf2022"/> |- !scope="row"| 2023 | colspan=2| Femke Bol |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://www.nu.nl/voetbal/6290004/femke-bol-voor-tweede-keer-op-rij-verkozen-tot-nederlands-atleet-van-het-jaar.html Femke Bol voor tweede keer op rij verkozen tot Nederlands atleet van het jaar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116203616/https://www.nu.nl/voetbal/6290004/femke-bol-voor-tweede-keer-op-rij-verkozen-tot-nederlands-atleet-van-het-jaar.html |date=16 November 2023 }}" (in Dutch), ''NU.nl'', 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.</ref> |- !scope="row"|2024 |colspan="2"|Sifan Hassan |style="text-align:center"|<ref>Rypke Bakker, "[https://www.nu.nl/sport-overig/6335587/sifan-hassan-boven-femke-bol-verkozen-tot-nederlandse-atleet-van-het-jaar.html Sifan Hassan boven Femke Bol verkozen tot Nederlandse atleet van het jaar]" (in Dutch), ''NU.nl'', 15 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.</ref> |- !scope="row"| 2025 |colspan="2"| Jessica Schilder |style="text-align:center"| <ref>"[https://nos.nl/artikel/2590241-kogelstootster-schilder-troeft-bol-af-in-verkiezing-tot-nederlands-atleet-van-het-jaar Kogelstootster Schilder troeft Bol af in verkiezing tot Nederlands atleet van het jaar]" (in Dutch), ''NOS'', 12 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.</ref> |}
==Notes== {{reflist|group=note}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Athletics awards}}
Category:1936 establishments in the Netherlands Category:Athletics in the Netherlands Category:Awards established in 1936 Category:Dutch sports trophies and awards Category:Royal Dutch Athletics Federation Category:Sport of athletics awards