Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, Kenya's David Rudishaand US hurdler Aries Merritt are in the running for the World Athlete of theYear Award.
Three-time winner Bolt is heavily favoured to claim theaccolade for a second-straight year after sweeping the sprint titles at theLondon Olympics.
The 23-year-old Rudisha, who won in 2010, was nominatedafter shattering the 800 metres world record in the London final.
Merritt, meanwhile, broke the 110 metre hurdles world recordin September following his Olympic triumph in the event.
The International Association of Athletics FederationsMonday arrived at the three nominees after their peers were asked to pick froma list of 10 of the year's top athletes.
The winner will be announced in Barcelona on Nov 24.
The women's shortlist is yet to be announced.