Overview
- The award was presented in Monaco on November 30 by World Athletics president Sebastian Coe.
- First bestowed in 2016, the President’s Award honors significant contributions to the sport and is regarded as one of its highest distinctions.
- McAvaney said athletics has been the central thread of his career and called the recognition one of his career highlights.
- Prominent figures including Kerry Stokes, Catherine Freeman and Tamsyn Lewis Manou praised his impact on audiences and athlete profiles.
- The accolade joins his OAM, Sport Australia Hall of Fame and other honors, capping a career that includes calling every Summer Olympics from 1980 to 2024 except 2012.