Olympic heroes on IAAF shortlist

PARIS - Agence France-Presse

Jessica Ennis is named in the IAAF Athletes of the Year award shortlist. AFP photo

British heptathlete Jessica Ennis, New Zealand shot-putter Valerie Adams and US sprinter Allyson Felix are on the shortlist for the accolade of World Athlete of the Year, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) announced yesterday.

All three won gold medals at the London Olympics.

Votes for the shortlist were cast from a panel of 2,400 people around the world comprising IAAF officials, top athletes and selected members of the international press.

The men’s shortlist, which was announced on Nov. 5, comprises Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt, US 110-metet hurdler Aries Merritt and Kenyan 800-meter champion David Rudisha. The voting process to determine the shortlists started on Oct. 8 and concluded on Oct. 28.

Votes were cast from a panel of 2,400 people around the globe representing the IAAF & IAF Council Members, the 212 IAAF Member Federations, the IAAF Committee & Commission Members, the One-day Meeting Directors, the IAAF Ambassadors, the IAAF Registered Athletes’ Representatives, International Top Athletes, selected members of the International Press and IAAF Staff Members.
Each person voted for one man and one woman. The three men and three women who received the most votes were selected as finalists.

The winners of the 2012 World Athlete of the Year Awards will be announced on Nov. 24.