Nairobi, KENYA: Kenyans Hellen Obiri and Elijah Manangoi have been nominated for the 2017 World Athletes of the Year Award.
According to the list released on Monday by the world governing body IAAF Obiri will contest for the female accolade against Ethiopian Almaz Ayana and South African three-time 800m champion Caster Semenya.
In male contest Manangoi will be challenging for the gong against Great Britain’s Mo Farah and South Africa Olympic and world 400m champion Wayde van Niekerk.
Manangoi starred this year by winning the August London 1500m men’s race leading a 1-2 Kenyans sweep in the absence of the record holder compatriot David Rudisha.
Obiri on the other hand had a great year where she won the 5000m women’s race at the World Championships held in London in August before adding a maiden Diamond League title to her name.
Winners of the awards will be announced at the IAAF Awards Gala in Monaco on November 24.
