KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Kaliese Spencer has failed to make it to the top three of the International Association of Athletics Federation’s Athlete of the Year list.

The Commonwealth Games and IAAF Diamond League 400m hurdles winner was named in the top 10 three weeks ago but after a vote by the world athletics family, failed to make it to the top three from which the Athlete of the Year will be selected in just over a month’s time in Monaco.

Spencer lost just once all year, the first Diamond League race in Doha before reeling off a streak of wins that stretched into double figures and included the Commonwealth Games, Diamond League and ended with the Inter-Continental Cup.

Controversial two-time drug cheat American sprinter Justin Gatlin also failed to make the men’s short list.

Gatlin’s inclusion had caused some controversy as one other nominee — German discus thrower Robert Harting who is the World, Olympic and European champion — had refused to allow his name to be included on the same list as Gatlin’s.

The American had an outstanding 2014 season in which he went undefeated in both the 100m and 200m. He won the IAAF Diamond League trophy in the 100m while running personal best times of 9.77 seconds in the 100m and 19.68 seconds in the 200m.

Meanwhile, the male and female finalists are Qatari high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim, Kenyan distance runner Dennis Kipruto Kimetto and French pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie among the men

New Zealand shot putter Valerie Adams, Ethiopian distance runner Genzebe Dibaba and Dutch heptathlete and European sprinter double- champion Dafne Schippers are in contention for female athlete of the year.

Paul Reid‏