Bolt favourite for Athlete of the Year award
Usain Bolt headlined the shortlist for the 2012 IAAF Male Athlete of the Year announced today..
Bolt dismissed doubts over his form and fitness at London 2012 by sweeping to gold in both the 100 metres and 200m. He then played a key role as Jamaica smashed the world record in the 4x100m.
Bolt was one of three candidates still standing after the 10-man shortlist named last month was whittled down to three.
Aries Merritt and David Rudisha are also in contention with both men having a fine 12 months.
American Merritt clinched gold in London in the 110m hurdles and then smashed the world record with a blistering run of 12.80 seconds in the second of two Samsung Diamond League finals in Brussels in September.
Rudisha also achieved an Olympic gold and world record double.
The Kenyan blitzed the field in the final of the 800m at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford to cruise to victory in a best-ever time of 1:40.91.
