Valerie Adams Finalist in Athlete of the Year

Valerie Adams Finalist in Athlete of the Year

New Zealands Valerie Adams is one of the three finalists for the IAAFs Woman Athlete of the Year. The double Olympic and three times World champion shot putter will be up against British Heptathlon star Jessica Ennis and US sprinter Allyson Felix. Following a three-week poll, the three female athletes and three male athletes who gathered the most votes are (in alphabetical order):

Women: Valerie Adams, NZL Shot Put Jessica Ennis, GBR Heptathlon Allyson Felix, USA 100m, 200m

Men: Usain Bolt, Jamaica 100m, 200m Aries Merritt, USA 110m hurdles David Rudisha, Kenya 800m

The voting process to determine the finalists for the World Athletes of the Year Award started on Monday 8 October and concluded on Sunday 28 October. Votes were cast from a panel of 2,400 people around the globe representing the IAAF & IAAF 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 live, on stage, during a Special Awards Ceremony as part of the IAAF Centenary Celebrations, which will take place in Barcelona, on 24 November 2012.