A total of eight African athletes were nominated for the World Athlete of the Year awards, athletics' world governing body, World Athletics, announced.

Ugandan duo Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo and Kenyan Timothy Cheruiyot were nominated in the Male World Athlete of the Year category.

The Kenyan trio of Peres Jepchirchir, Faith Kipyegon and Hellen Obiri and Ethiopians Letesenbet Gidey and Ababel Yeshaneh were nominated in the Female World Athlete of the Year category.

The eight athletes delivered outstanding performances in 2020 ranging from breaking world records, running world leading times, going undefeated and winning titles.

The eight are among a list of 20 nominees for the award, with ten in each category. They were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics.

A three-way voting process will determine the finalists with World Athletics, the World Athletics Family and the public participating.

The World Athletics Council's vote will count for 50 percent of the result, while the World Athletics Family's votes and the public votes will each count for 25 percent of the final result. Voting for the World Athletes of the Year ends at midnight on November 15.

After the end of the voting process, five men and five women finalists will be announced by World Athletics.

The World Athletics Awards 2020 are scheduled to be held virtually on December 5.

(With input from agencies)