Bolt heads World Athlete of the Year list

Jamaica's triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt was among six Beijing gold medallists shortlisted for the 2008 World Athlete of the Year awards yesterday, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said.

Bolt, who set world records in winning the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4x100 metres relay, joined Cuba's 110 metres hurdles champion Dayron Robles and Olympic long-distance double winner Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia in the men's category.

Fellow Ethiopian 5,000 and 10,000 metres champion Tirunesh Dibaba, 800 metres gold medallist and Golden League winner Pamela Jelimo of Kenya and Russian pole vault champion and world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva were the three women chosen.

The finalists were selected following a poll of internet fans and the IAAF Family consisting of IAAF officials, member federations, ambassadors, leading athletes and selected members of the international press. The winners will be announced during the 2008 World Athletics Gala in Monaco on November 23.