Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers is European athlete of the year

Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers has been named European women’s athlete of 2014 at the European Athletics Federation meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Schippers won gold in the 100 metres and 200 metres at European Championships in Zurich this summer, making her the first Dutch runner to win the double since Fanny Blankers-Koen in 1950.

Schippers is primarily a heptathlete and took the bronze medal at the athletics world championships in Moscow last year.

Dutch distance runner Sifan Hassan was also on the nomination list. She won gold in the 1,500 metres and silver in the 5,000 at the Zurich meet. She also leads the world rankings in the 1,500 metres.

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