Gatlin left off athlete of the year shortlist

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Controversial world 100-meter champion Justin Gatlin was left off the list of nominees for the IAAF's World Athlete of the Year awards.

Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, was a surprise winner of the 100m in London in August as Jamaican great Usain Bolt bowed out of his top-class career with a disappointing bronze medal.

When the IAAF named on Monday their 10 male and female nominees for the 2017 awards, Gatlin's name was conspicuous by its absence.

Justin Gatlin of the US takes a selfie with fans after the "Mano a Mano" challenge, a 100-meter race, at the Brazilian Jockey Club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 1, 2017. /Reuters Photo

It is the first time since 2004 – when Gatlin was also omitted – that the world or Olympic 100m champion has been left off the list.

Gatlin's omission is no surprise, though, as the IAAF changed its rules in 2015 to exclude from its list anyone who has ever been sanctioned for a serious doping offence.

That came after Germany's Olympic discus champion Robert Harting asked for his name to be removed from the list in protest at Gatlin's inclusion in 2014.

Mo Farah /Reuters Photo

The 2017 list is led by British 10,000m world champion Mo Farah and South Africa's 400m star Wayde van Niekerk. The women's list includes comeback queen Sally Pearson of Australia, the 100m hurdles champion, and South Africa's Caster Semenya, the winner of the 800m.

Source(s): AFP