Laura Muir’s post-lockdown surge has been rewarded with a spot on the short-list for this year's World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year award.

The 27-year-old was the quickest in the world over 1500 metres in 2020 by running 3:57.40 in Berlin after setting a British 1000m record at the Diamond League leg in Monaco in August.

Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, who recently broke the world 5,000m record in Valencia, and Muir’s frequent rival Faith Kipyegon of Kenya, who ran world-leading times over 800m and 1000m, are also lead contenders.

Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda, who claimed the world 5000m record in Monaco, and Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis, who captured the world pole vault record in Glasgow in February, are the favourites for Male Athlete of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the World Athletics Awards on Saturday 5 December. 

Meanwhile Scottish Athletics CEO Mark Munro believes closer co-operation between UK Athletics and the home nations will unlock the sport’s potential. The five bodies have signed up to a joint strategy with Munro heading up the development oversight across the whole country.

"It is hugely important that the leadership and governance of the sport across the UK moves forward and we are delighted to see the progress to date through the framework agreement and changes at board level,” he said.

"However, arguably more important is how we collaborate and work effectively to support the sport at a delivery level. With a new structure across the working groups, shared resources and clear action plans, we feel this can only be a positive for the future of the athletics community across the UK."

World Athlete of the Year - female nominees

Femke Bol (Netherlands), Letesenbet Gidey (Ethiopia), Sifan Hassan (Netherlands), Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya), Faith Kipyegon (Kenya), Laura Muir (United Kingdom), Hellen Obiri (Kenya), Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela), Elaine Thompson-Herah (Jamaica), Ababel Yeshaneh (Ethiopa)

Male nominees

Donavan Brazier (USA), Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda), Timothy Cheruiyot (Kenya), Ryan Crouser (USA), Mondo Duplantis (Sweden), Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda), Noah Lyles (USA), Daniel Stahl (Sweden), Johannes Vetter (Germany), Karsten Warholm (Norway)