United States and Russian Olympic Committees claim top prizes at ANOC Gala Awards Ceremony

By Nick Butler at the Centara Convention Centre in Bangkok

London 2012 800 metres champion David Rudisha was a big winner here tonight at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Gala Awards Ceremony, with the United States and Russian Olympic Committees also honoured.

Rudisha, the Kenyan who won the last 800m Olympic final in a world record time of 1min 40.91sec, was awarded "Best Male Athlete of London 2012" accolade, the category which had provoked greatest anticipation beforehand.

He was selected ahead of other potential contenders, including Jamaica's sprinter superstar Usain Bolt and United States swimmer Michael Phelps.

"Firstly, thank you ANOC for putting on such a wonderful event for the world sport family," the 23-year-old said.

"As athletes, we rely so much on the support of our National Olympic Committees and they are so often the unsung heroes of the Olympic world, so thank you for recognising and rewarding all of their hard work as well.

"Thank you to the Kenyan National Olympic Committee for all they have done for me over the years and thank you ANOC again for honouring me with this award."

China's table tennis star Xiaoxia Li won the corresponding women's award, while at the other end of the spectrum, gymnast Larisa Latynina was awarded the "Outstanding Performance" title following a glittering career consisting of 18 medals, including nine gold, between Melbourne 1956 and Tokyo 1964.

IOC President Thomas Bach hands the Outstanding Performance award to Larisa Latynina ©Getty Images

Recognition was also given to top performers at Sochi 2014, with The Netherlands' three-time speed skating champion Ireen Wüst awarded "Best Female" eight-time cross country skiing and biathlon winner Ole Einar Bjørndalen "Best Male".

The Norwegian, elected a member of the IOC Athletes' Commission in February, recently revised plans to hang up his skis and now plans to carry on to 2016.

Canada were awarded two team awards for their male and female ice hockey victories, while the French men's handball team and the Brazilian women's volleyball squad were awarded London 2012 team titles.

The ANOC Gala Awards have long been an aim since President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah took over the organisation in 2012.

They are seen both as a sign of ANOC modernisation and a way to generate wider publicity.

With 203 National Olympic Committees present along with numerous other leading officials in the Olympic Movement, tonight's event was a celebration with a fully international flavour.

Musical performances from all five continents were interspersed between the presentations, including samba,flamenco and "haka" performances.

As well as individuals, NOCs themselves were also honoured, with the United States Olympic Committee deemed "Most Successful" NOC at London 2012 after topping the medals table with 46 gold, 29 silver and 29 bronze.

The Russian Olympic Committee received the same award for Sochi 2014 after finishing head the medals table on home soil.

Seven "Breakthrough" NOCs were also recognised, with Bahrain, Botswana, Cyprus, Gabon, Grenada, Guatemala and El Salvador the recipients.

Former IOC President Jacques Rogge shows off his Lifetime Achievement award ©Getty Images

The loudest cheer of all, however, was for Jacques Rogge who won the final award of the night, with the Belgian, who relinquished the IOC Presidency after 12 years in September 2013.

He received the "Lifetime Achievement" Award.While this year's winners were chosen via jury, it is hoped that social media will be used at future ceremonies to garner a public opinion,

But there has been much praise for the new concept, including from Sebastian Coe and Dmitry Chernyshenko, the respective heads of London 2012 and Sochi 2014.

"We are delighted that NOCs and athletes from London 2012 will be recognised at the first ANOC Gala Awards Dinner," said Coe, who posed enthusiastically for pictures with Rushida after his award.

"At London 2012 we had the privilege of witnessing some exceptional individual and team performances.

"NOCs were at the very heart of that and I cannot wait to relive some of these iconic moments at this historic event."

Chernyshenko added: "The ANOC Gala Awards Dinner is an excellent platform to give athletes and NOCs the international recognition they deserve.

"As President and chief executive of Sochi 2014 I witnessed first-hand just how important the NOCs are in the lives of athletes and in ensuring that they have everything they need to achieve their optimum performance."