Athletics GEly’s oldie Sayers, who captained the British team which brought back a record medal haul from the 2014 European Athletics Championships in Zurich this summer,

was presented with the Inspiration Award at a ceremony in London, on Friday.

The three-time Olympian and 11-time British javelin record-holder was honoured at the British Athletics Writers’ Awards at the Tower Hotel.

Chairman, Simon Hart, said: “Goldie’s inspirational speech on the eve of the European Championships has become legendary.

“Her determination to come back from injury and the encouragement she gave to the younger athletes has earned admiration from everyone.”

Male athlete of the year was Olympic champion Greg Rutherford who added Commonwealth and European gold to his medal haul this year.

Jo Pavey, 10,000 metres gold medallist in Zurich and, at 40, the oldest female European champion in history, won the female athlete of the year award.

Jo, who also won bronze in the 5,000 metres at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, was Goldie’s room-mate at the European Championships, said: “Goldie is a very special person and a real inspiration to me and everyone in the team.”