Night of Legends awards

[2] As the country's highest award for the sport, it was named after Jesse Owens in recognition of his significant career, which included four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games.

[3] First awarded in 1981 to hurdler Edwin Moses, it was created to recognize the season's top American performer in track and field competitions.

The 1996 winners, Michael Johnson and Gail Devers, each won two gold medals at that year's Olympics in Atlanta.

[5] The winners of the award are typically announced in late November or early December after the end of the outdoor track and field season.

Winners receive a replica of the award while the original remains on permanent display at the USATF Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Joan Benoit received the award in 1984 after winning the first Olympic marathon for women. [ 8 ]
Michael Johnson won the award three years running.
Allyson Felix received the award in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2015.