United States sprinter Michael Johnson and Romanian middle distance runner Gabriela Szabo have been named sportsman and sportswoman of the year by the AIPS, the body representing sports media in 135 countries and regions.

Johnson set a world record in winning the 400 meters at the World athletics championships in Seville in August, also winning a relay gold to overtake Carl Lewis as the most successful athlete in world championships history.

Szabo won the world 5,000 meters title and went on to become the first athlete to win more than one million dollars in a year. She won the overall Grand Prix title and collected 500,000 dollars for winning all seven Golden League 3,000 meters races. Manchester United, who won the European Cup, English premier league and F.A. Cup, were named the team of the year. (Xinhua)