MONACO -- Moroccan middle-distance runner Hicham El Guerrouj and American pole vaulter Stacy Dragila won the men's and women's Athlete of the Year awards respectively at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) annual gala dinner on Sunday.

El Guerrouj, 27, retained his world 1,500 meters title in Edmonton, Canada, and won each of his 13 races in 2001, including the world indoor 3,000 meters title.

He clocked three minutes 26.12 seconds over the 1,500 at the Brussels golden league meeting, the second fastest time ever behind his own world record of 3:26.00 set three years ago.

Dragila, 30, retained her world outdoor title and set seven world records during the year, culminating with 4.81 meters in Palo Alto, Calif., on June 9.