The 2026 World Athletics has shortlisted American 100m Masai Russell, 100m and 200m Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Swiss 800m Audrey Werro as the Female Athlete of the Year finalists.
The athletes emerged as the highest-ranked competitors in a voting process that involved athletics fans, athletes, media representatives and members of the World Athletics Family.
The three athletes will advance to the final stage of the competition, with the winner set to be announced during the World Athletics Awards ceremony scheduled for November 29 in Monaco.
Jefferson recorded a world-leading time of 10.62 seconds in the women’s 100m before producing another outstanding performance in the 200m clocking 21.47 seconds.
Russell earned her place after setting a world 100m hurdles record of 12.09 seconds, becoming the first woman to break the 12.10 second barrier in the 100m hurdles.
She can become the second consecutive American to win Female Athlete of the Year after Sydney McLaughlin in 2025.
Werro had an undefeated season of her own in the 800m. She was the 33rd-fastest woman in history as of June 6.
She has run the third-, fourth- and fifth-fastest times in history, all of which are the fastest since the world record of 1:53.28 was set in 1983.
She broke the Diamond League record three times, improving to a world leading time of 1:53.70, placing her to third on the all time women’s 800m rankings, making her one of the fastest athletes ever to compete in the discipline.
Ethiopian Tigst Assefa finished fourth, ahead of Marileidy Paulino from the Dominican Republic.
Kenyan long distance runner Agnes Ngetich secured the sixth place after missing out on the final top three places.