Bolt, Farah lead world award shortlist

Bolt
 

London 2012 Olympic champions Mo Farah and Usain Bolt are among the star names on the shortlist for the 2013 World Athlete of the Year award announced by the International Association of Athletics Federations.

Farah, who is recognised as one of Great Britain’s best ever athletes, has excelled in this year’s athletics calendar. He achieved a magnificent double gold medal for his 5000metres and 10000m runs at the World Championships in Moscow in August, as well as setting a new British and European 1500m record in Monaco.

Bolt, meanwhile, has continued his domination of the sport with three gold medals in Moscow to add to his bulging collection, winning the 100m, 200m and 4x100m titles. And the Jamaican is likely to be awarded the acclaim after becoming the most successful athlete in World Championships history after his triple gold haul in Russia.

It adds more heat to the speculation that Bolt and Farah could race against each other in the future, with Bolt confirming his interest in participating in a 600m duel against the Brit.

Other notable nominees for the award include American runner LaShawn Merritt, who returned to win two gold medals after he was handed a 21-month doping suspension two years ago, and Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who is the favourite for the women’s category after winning three gold medals in Moscow.