Bolt, Merritt, Rudisha named finalists for World Athlete of the Year

MONACO (AP) -- Usain Bolt, Aries Merritt and David Rudisha are the finalists for the World Athlete of the Year award.

Track and field's governing body said Monday that they had the most votes in a three-week poll. The winner will be announced during the IAAF's centenary celebrations in Barcelona on Nov. 24.

Bolt became the first man to retain both 100- and 200-meter titles at the London Olympics.

Merritt won the 110 hurdles at the Olympics. The American set a world record of 12.80 seconds at the Van Damme Memorial in Brussels in September.

Rudisha of Kenya won the 800 in London in a world record of 1 minute, 40.91 seconds.