Mo Farah snubbed for IAAF Athlete of the Year award

Mo Farah plans to become a marathon runner by 2014 (Getty Images)

Usain Bolt headlines the shortlist for the 2012 IAAF Male Athlete of the Year – but there is no place for Britain's double Olympic champion Mo Farah.

Bolt, who won three gold medals at London 2012, was one of three candidates still standing after the 10-man shortlist named last month was whittled down to three. The 110m hurdles gold medallist Aries Merritt and 800m world record holder David Rudisha complete the list.