EMEA Sport Picture of the Year
1st Place
Michael Steele
“The Olympic marathon is the ultimate race in athletics—42.195 km of strategy, strength, and resilience. In Paris, Sifan Hassan claimed victory in 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds, but the race came down to a decisive moment—a head-to-head battle with Tigst Assefa in the final stretch.Michael Steele captured this moment to perfection. The intensity, the movement, the sheer effort of both athletes—all set against the stunning backdrop of the Olympic Games. The outstretched arms of the crowd, phones raised to catch a moment, the iconic Games logo, and the fantastic image composition make this a photo that tells the full story of the race.This is more than just another ‘action frame’. It’s a photograph that encapsulates the essence of Olympic competition—victory, defeat, and the defining moment that separated the two. All in one still image.”