UFC
UFC NEWS: Georges St. Pierre bests Sidney Crosby again, named "Canadian Athlete of the Year" for the third straight year
Dec 22, 2010 - 10:02:22 PM UFC NEWS: Georges St. Pierre bests Sidney Crosby again, named "Canadian Athlete of the Year" for the third straight year

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre has been named Sportsnet's Canadian Athlete of the Year for the third straight year.

This year's AOTY race was contested as a 16-man tournament, with Canadian fans voting over 16 days to determine the winners of each round including the finals.

St. Pierre, who defeated both Dan Hardy and Josh Koscheck in 2010, made his way through a difficult bracket and the vote came down to him and Sidney Crosby of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby scored the winning goal in overtime over Team USA in the Olympics this February to give Canada their second gold medal in hockey in eight years, but it was St. Pierre who took home the honors.

"Winning the Rogers Sportsnet Canadian Athlete of the Year award for the third time means a lot to me," St. Pierre said in comments made to sportsnet.ca. "This year there were a lot of nominees that I really respect, so I am honoured that the fans chose me. Thanks to all my fans for their support."

St. Pierre becomes the first athlete to three-peat with the award, as he took the crown from 2007 winner Crosby in 2008, and followed it up in 2009 as well. Steve Nash of the NBA's Phoenix Suns is the only other athlete to win the award in back-to-back years.

"I have always said that GSP is not only a great champion and a great athlete, he is a great human being," UFC President Dana White said. "Not only does he represent his title and the sport well, he is also an incredible representative for Canada. I am so happy to see him get what he deserves. Congratulations Georges St. Pierre."

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Penick's Analysis: Though he might not be the most famous athlete to come out of Canada, as White insists, but there's no arguing GSP's place in his home country in 2010. After headlining a record crowd for the UFC this month and now earning this nod for the third straight year, it's clear that St. Pierre resonates with the Canadian fans in a big way. But it shouldn't be much of a surprise, the greatest fighter on the planet deserves that type of recognition.