World champions Tyson Gay and Allyson Felix were Monday named winners of the 2007 Jesse Owens Award given annually by USA Track and Field to its top athletes of the year.

Gay, a first-time winner for the honor, swept the 100m and 200m titles at the world championships while Felix, who also won the award in 2005, won every 200m race she entered, including the world final.

"Allyson and Tyson took the sprinting world by storm in 2007," USA Track and Field chief executive Craig Masback said. "Their youth, humility and grace under tremendous pressure to perform make them great champions."

In addition to sweeping the world sprint titles in Osaka, Gay helped the US 4x100m relay to victory to become only the fourth man to win three titles at a single world meet.

Gay, 25, win the 100 in 9.85 seconds, then captured the 200 in 19.76 and ran the third leg on a relay that was triumphant in 37.78 seconds.

"This is the greatest honor of my career," Gay said. "Jesse Owens is a hero of mine for many reasons and to have my name linked with his and with the great athletes who have been honored before me, is humbling. I am very grateful."

Felix, 21, became only the second woman to win three world titles at the same meet, first claiming the 200 in 21.81 seconds, the best women's time in the event since 1999.

She ran the second leg on a 4x100m relay that won in 41.98 and for a 4x400 relay that won in 3:18.55. Her 400m relay split was 48 seconds.

"It is a privilege to receive an award with such a rich tradition," Felix said of the award. "To be recognized in the company of such great champions is truly an honor."

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2007)