Jamaica's Usain Bolt displays the national flag of Jamaica after taking men's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Usain Bolt claimed the title of the event and broke the world record. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    LAUSANNE, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The world's fastest man Usain Bolt and Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva have been voted the International Sports Press Association's 2008 Athletes of the Year in an online poll which attracted the votes of 571 journalists from 96 countries and regions.

    Both athletes shone in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, with Bolt smashing the 100m world record in a time of 9.69 seconds and backing up four days later to break Michael Johnson's long standing 200m world record setting a new mark of 19.30 seconds.

Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva clears 5.04 metres at her third attempt to set a new women's pole vault world record at the Monaco grand prix in Monte-Carlo July 29, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The 22-year-old then went on to capture a third gold by joining former world 100m record-holder Asafa Powell and his Jamaican teammates to set a third world record in the 4x100m relay in 37.10seconds.

    Isinbayeva, who was undefeated outdoors in 2008, defended her Olympic pole vault title in Beijing with a vault of 5.05 meters, securing her second successive Olympic gold medal.

    The Spanish National Football Team, winners of the 2008 UEFA European Championship in June, were voted Team of the Year.

    Spain had not won a UEFA European Championship since 1964 and beat Germany 1-0 in a thrilling game with a goal scored by Fernando Torres 33 minutes into the game that paved the way for the Spanish victory.

    The Beijing Olympic Games was voted as having the Best Press Facility of 2008. The Main Press Center was the central work place for the 5,600 accredited written and photographic press covering the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and provided 24-hour services and facilities.

    The largest in Olympic history, with a total floor area of 60,000 square meters, the three-storey MPC also served as the MPC for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.