By Braden Keith on SwimSwam
American swimmer Caeleb Dressel and American gymnast Simone Biles were recognized as co-recipients of the AAU Sullivan Award for 2021. The award is given to an evolved version of the “top amateur athlete in the United States” every year, using a loose definition of “amateur,” given that both Dressel and Biles made millions of dollars in 2021.
The AAU says that they have refocused their approach to just the ‘top athlete’ of the year in order to accommodate Olympic athletes, and now NCAA athletes, who are in many cases are no longer amateurs.
This is the 3rd-straight year in which the AAU has announced co-winners.
Dressel was announced as the co-recipient during halftime of the Orland Magic game on Friday night, where they were losing by 30 points to the New York Knicks. Biles was recognized earlier in the day at a luncheon. She is currently in Indianapolis as part of the GoldOverAmerica Tour with other American gymnasts and wasn’t able to attend the ceremonies in person.
Dressel also wasn’t at the luncheon, where his award was accepted by his attorney.
The 25-year old Dressel won 5 gold medals at the Tokyo Olympic Games, bringing him to 7 total Olympic titles.
Biles, meanwhile, won a silver medal in the team event and a bronze medal on balance beam. She withdrew from most of her events after coming down with a case of the “twisties” (read more here), sparking a national conversation about athletes and mental health.
The award’s criteria say that it “goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.”
The AAU James E. Sullivan Award annually recognizes the outstanding amateur athlete whose outstanding athletic accomplishments are complemented by qualities of leadership, character and sportsmanship. Winners achieve great success on a national and/or international stage through competition in collegiate athletics, Olympic pursuit or similar high profile competitions. Presented by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), the AAU Sullivan Award symbolizes the fostering of a community of respected amateur athletes whose example provides a great model to our AAU athletes.
Other aquatic athletes that were named among the 38 semi-finalists were Olympic gold medalist swimmer Lydia Jacoby, Paralympic gold medalist swimmer/triathlete Brad Snyder, and water polo player Maddie Musselman. Musselman was also named a finalist and was in attendance at the
Amazing night with @OrlandoMagic ! Celebrating the finalists of the #AAUSullivanAward and meeting inspiring athletes! @KevinKopps@athiiing#CaelebDressel@USAWPpic.twitter.com/XLmLyI7CRO
— Maddie Musselman (@maddiemusselman) October 23, 2021
Swimmers have won the award on 12 occasions. In 1944, Ann Curtis, who had won more AAU championships than any other woman, became the first swimmer and first female to win the award. Only track & field (athletics) has won the award more times as a sport.
No water polo player has ever won the award, though divers have won on three occasions: Sammy Lee in 1953, Pat McCormick in 1956, and Greg Louganis in 1984.
While athletes are eligible to win the award more than once, so far that hasn’t happened.
Prior Winners among swimmers:
- 1944 – Ann Curtis
- 1964 – Don Schollander
- 1968 – Debbie Meyer
- 1970 – John Kinsella
- 1971 – Mark Spitz
- 1975 – Tim Shaw
- 1977 – John Naber
- 1978 – Tracy Caulkins
- 1989 – Janet Evans
- 2003 – Michael Phelps
- 2006 – Jessica Long (Paraswimming)
- 2012 – Missy Franklin
The award was shared in 2020 by University of Oregon basketball player Sabrina Ionescu and University of Iowa wrestler Spencer Lee.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Caeleb Dressel, Simone Biles Named Co-Winners of 2021 AAU Sullivan Award