Indianapolis, IN -- (Sports Network) - USA Track & Field named Olympic gold medalists Bryan Clay and Stephanie Brown Trafton as winners of the 2008 Jesse Owens Award.

The Owens Award is the highest distinction given to the top U.S. track and field athlete.

Clay was the silver medalist in the decathlon in 2004 and in Beijing he won gold. Over two days at the Olympic Trials, Clay scored 8,832 points to break the previous Trials record of 8,726 set by Dan O'Brien in 1996. By winning gold in Beijing, Clay became the first U.S. gold medalist in the competition since O'Brien 12 years ago. Clay finished the Summer Games competition 240 points ahead of the field, which is the largest winning margin in the Olympic decathlon since 1972.

"I have always regarded Jesse Owens with the highest respect for his accomplishments in the 1936 Olympics," said Clay. "To be selected to receive this award and having my name associated with the legendary Jesse Owens is a great honor and a humbling experience. I am grateful, appreciative and truly humbled to have been chosen for such an esteemed award."

Brown Trafton finished third in the discus at this year's Olympic Trials and wasn't expected to challenge for a medal at the Olympics. She then had an incredible performance in winning gold in Beijing, as she became the first American woman to win the gold medal in the discus since Lillian Copeland in 1932. It was the first U.S. medal of any kind in the women's discus since Leslie Jean Deniz captured silver at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

"The success I have had this year has been monumental and much appreciation goes to USATF's High Performance programs and their willingness to support my event area that, before 2008, had not won any medals in two decades," said Brown Trafton. "The coaches, committee members, staff, and media team at USATF can take credit for their role in making history with me this year as well as helping to securing a bright future for the sport."