Jamaican Kalise Spencer is shortlisted for the IAAF Female Athlete of the Year 2014 Award. Spencer is the only person from the Caribbean to be shortlisted.
In 2014, Spencer won the Diamond Race 400m hurdles, Continental Cup, along with the Commonwealth Games. She also ended the year as the world leader during which time she won 10 of 11 races at 400m hurdles.
The other women on the shortlist are – Valerie Adams (NZL), Genzebe Dibaba (ETH), Dawn Harper Nelson (USA), Caterine Ibarguen (COL), Francena McCorory (USA), Sandra Perkovic (CRO), Dafne Schippers (NED), Barbora Spotakova (CZE) and Anita Wlodarczyk (POL)
The candidates have been selected by an international panel of athletics experts which include representatives from all six continental areas of the IAAF.
On the men's side, the top shortlisted are – Nigel Amos (BOT), Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT), Jairus Kipchoge Birech (KEN), Bogdan Bondarenko (UKR), Yohann Diniz (FRA), Justin Gatlin (USA), Robert Harting (GER), Dennis, Kipruto Kimetto (KEN), Renaud Lavillenie (FRA) and LaShawn Merritt (USA).
An email poll involving the World Athletics Family* begins today, Friday 3 October, and will close on Thursday 16 October, midnight CET.
At the conclusion of the voting process, three male and three female finalists will be selected and announced by the IAAF.
The Council of the International Athletics Foundation will then select the male and female winners, with the announcement taking place live on stage during the 2014 World Athletics Gala on Friday 21 November 2014.
Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the awards in 2013.