Gold-medal winners Grace Brown and Saya Sakakibara have been rewarded for their standout efforts at the Paris Games by being named joint winners of the coveted Oppy Medal.
Brown, 32, and Sakakibara, 25, were crowned winners of the Sir Hubert Opperman Trophy - Australian cycling's highest honour - on Wednesday for also dominating on the world stage in their respective disciplines.
Saya won the World Cup in 2024, while Grace notched World Championship wins as well as taking out the Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Awarded since 1958, the trophy and Medal are awarded by AusCycling for the best all-round performing rider who also displays a high level of sportsmanship and is an ambassador for the sport.
Brown and Sakakibara join recent winners such as Cadel Evans, Caroline Buchanan and Anna Meares as AusCycling Cyclist of the Year on the honours roll.
Brown said 2024 had been a momentous year.
"It feels very special to have my achievements recognised by Australian cycling. The list of previous Oppy winners is full of our sport's heroes, and it's a huge honour to add my name to that list.
“I also want to congratulate Saya for her stunning performances in BMX. She inspired me this year with her fearlessness, and I would like to say what a privilege it is to share the award with her.”
Sakakibara has fought back from a series of concussions and a serious crash at the Tokyo Olympics before reaching the pinnacle.
"I’m very honoured to be awarded the Oppy Award for 2024," said Sakakibara. "
"I remember when Caroline Buchanan won it. Caroline was someone that I looked up to, and having her win it as a BMX racer really allowed me to think maybe I could as well, and that it’s not always awarded to the track cyclists or the road cyclists.
“So, I’m very grateful to be recognised alongside Grace Brown who’s just had an incredible year and incredible career. I’m very honoured and I’m very grateful.”
Wednesday's announcement made Brown and Sakakibara the first joint recipients of the Oppy Medal since Brett Aitken and Scott McGrory in 2000.
