For the first time ever, the International Association of Athletics Federations, or IAAF, is inviting the public to participate in the vote to choose the Athlete of the Year.

　　People will be able to pick their choice for the Athlete of the Year award from the Top 15 in the IAAF World Rankings by going to the IAAF home page, China Radio International reported yesterday.

　　China's Liu Xiang is also in the list. The IAAF calls his Olympic 110m hurdles victory a true championship performance which represents the start of a new era for Asian athletics.

　　Another Chinese Olympic gold medalist, Xing Huina, who beat more favored rivals to win the 10,000-meter title in Athens, is also in the race.

　　The voting will close at on Friday morning, and a shortlist of five athletes will then be presented to an IAAF panel, who will then make a final selection on the Athlete of the Year after considering all the results.

　　The winner of the award will be announced during the 2004 World Athletics Gala at the Grimaldi Forum, Monte-Carlo, on Sunday night.

　　(Xinhua)

　　编辑：趴趴