Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse named Rising Star of 2016 by IAAF

Canada's Andre De Grasse celebrates his silver medal performance in the 200-metre at the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday August 18, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

MONACO, France -- Canada's Andre De Grasse won the Rising Star Award for 2016 from track and field's world governing body.

The IAAF presented its annual awards Friday in a gala ceremony in Monaco.

The 22-year-old from Markham, Ont., won medals in all three events in his Olympic debut in Rio -- silver in the 200 metres, bronze in the 100 metres, and bronze in the 4x100 relay.

De Grasse's light-hearted rivalry with Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt made for some of the most memorable images of the Rio Games.

The award is decided on votes split between the IAAF Council and Family and the public.

Bolt, who won three gold medals in Rio, was named male athlete of the year.