Paris 2024 Paralympic champions Dave Ellis and his guide Luke Pollard have been named the 2024 Athletes’ Athlete of the Year by the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA).
The duo, who rounded off an incredible 2024 by being awarded MBEs, now add another prestigious accolade to their resumés.
Ellis, who has won every title that matters in the PTVI sphere since taking up triathlon in 2013, along with Pollard, topped a vote among elite British athletes to win the prize. The honour is awarded by the BEAA on behalf of current and former World Class Programme athletes.
A year to remember
Dave and Luke completed the so-called triple crown in the PTVI category – a classification for paratriathlon athletes with visual impairments. The pair claiming the Paralympic, World Championship and European Championship crowns.
“It is so nice that people have recognised us in this way,” said Dave on receiving the award.
“The shortlist had some great athletes on there and even just to make that nomination list was unbelievable. I’m blown away to actually win the award.
Luke added: “I didn’t really believe [we’d won] to start off with.
“We’re both pretty quiet athletes but it has been really good to put Dave’s story and Dave’s journey and our delivery of races out into the public. To be recognised by fellow athletes is absolutely unbelievable.”
The duo claimed the award ahead of star-studded shortlist including Stephen McGuire (Boccia), Dan Pembroke (Para-Athletics), Benjamin Pritchard (Para-Rowing) and Duncan Scott (Swimming).
Dave added on Instagram: “What an honour to receive this award! We were absolutely blown away just to be shortlisted, but to have won, especially among so many incredible athletes was a huge surprise. A massive thanks to everyone who voted and supported us.”
Eyes on 2028
The six-time world paratriathlon champion remains as hungry as ever for success and already has his sights set on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“I’d like to do another four years and see if I’ve still got enough to be competitive at another Games. I feel like I’m only getting started really with the Paralympics, having only done two in triathlon. I’d love to do another one and give it a go,” Ellis told us in October.
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