The pair were voted for by fans and media, with the result announced by European Athletics.

Maslak dominated at the Indoor World Championships in Sopot, Poland, last month.

His gold medal-winning time of 45.24sec was the second-fastest European indoor time in history.

He won European Athletics Championships 400m gold in 2012, and will be in prime position to defend his crown in Zurich in August.

Poland's Adam Kszczot, who won silver in Sopot behind Ethiopia's Mohammed Aman, was second in the men's vote.

Richard Kilty of Great Britain came third after taking 60m gold in Sopot in a storming time of 6.49.

He had only qualified for the Championships after compatriot James Dasaolu could not compete because to injury.

Croatian Sandra Perkovic's discus throw of 70.51m was the first over the magical 70m mark since 1999 ©AFP/Getty Images





Women's vote winner Perkovic, the reigning world and Olympic discus champion, threw 70.51 metres at the Croatian winter throwing championships in Split last month.

It was the first throw over 70m since 1999 and the best mark in the world for 22 years.

In second place in the vote was Poland's Angelika Cichocka who won silver on home turf in Sopot in the 800m, setting a personal best in her heat.

French long jumper Eloyse Lesueur came third after winning gold in Sopot with a jump of 6.85m.

The European Athlete of the Month award was launched in January 2007 and is designed to recognise outstanding performers at all levels of the sport in Europe.