Year's best

HICHAM AL-GUERROUJ and Hestrie Cloete have been crowned Athletes of the Year at the World Athletics Final in Monaco. Al-Guerrouj did not compete citing fatigue, but the Moroccan had already amassed enough points over the season to take the men's award for the third consecutive year.

South African high jumper Hestrie Cloete won the women's title ahead of US sprinter Kelli White. White needed to win the 100m in a personal best time to pip Cloete but, having prevailed in the 200m on Saturday, she could only finish fourth behind compatriot Chryste Gaines.

And that cleared the way for Cloete, who won the high jump with a clearance of 2.01 metres to become the first African woman to scoop the overall award.

In other Monaco news, Mozambique runner Maria Mutola won her 18th straight race beating Britain's Kelly Holmes in the 800m.

"It's a great feeling to come here and finish my season with another win," said Mutola, who also took gold ahead of Holmes at the World Championships. "My goal is now next year's Olympics."

Gail Devers gained a measure of revenge for her poor showing in Paris by winning the 100m hurdles in 12.45 seconds, the world's fastest time this year.

The 36-year-old American led from the start to finish well clear of Spain's Glory Alozie. US sprinter JJ Johnson won the men's 200m in 20.35, just 0.02 seconds ahead of countryman Shaun Crawford, with Mauritius runner Stephane Buckland in third.