Norwegian Grott wins World Athletics Photograph of the Year

Vegard Grott’s evocative picture of athletes competing within the Dream Mile has been chosen because the 2025 World Athletics Photograph of the Year. 

The {photograph}, titled ‘Shadows’, captures the dramatic motion of athletes competing on the Bislett Games Diamond League assembly in Oslo. As in previous years, the World Athletics Photograph of the Year shines a highlight on distinctive photos captured by skilled photographers across the globe. 

From the 141 photos that had been submitted, a panel of judges – comprising two-time world 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson, four-time world triple leap champion Christian Taylor, photographer and Paris 2024 photograph chief Pascal Rondeau, and World Athletics digital inventive supervisor Christel El Saneh – chosen Grott’s picture for its emotional influence and highly effective portrayal of athletic endeavour. 

“I’m truly honoured to receive this,” mentioned Grott. “This 12 months the Bislett Games was held over two days, and I’d shot some comparable photos on day one. On day two, the solar was a bit stronger and there was a packed crowd. I shot two laps of the race earlier than the solar disappeared and this picture ended up being one in every of them. 

“I’ve been shooting this event in Oslo for almost 15 years, but this was the first time the sun had been perfect for this kind of shot,” he added. “It’s additionally about instinct. I’ve seen some comparable photos, however had by no means taken one myself. It was a type of moments the place every thing comes collectively. 

“I shoot mainly football, but also a lot of athletics. Personally – and I can’t say this to my football colleagues – I prefer athletics, so winning this is a big deal and an honour. Thank you to the judges and to World Athletics.” 

Grott has been working as an company photographer since 2011 and joined the ranks of Bildbyrån in 2017. Over the years, he has chronicled main sporting occasions – together with a number of Olympic Games – and has served as workforce photographer for the Norwegian soccer workforce. On three separate events, his work has been recognised among the many world’s finest by Pictures of the Year International and the National Press Photographers Association. 

This 12 months’s honour shall be recognised on the 2025 World Athletics Awards – to be held in Monaco on 30 November – alongside different accolades celebrating excellence in athletics worldwide. 

World Athletics