Champion Australian hurdler Sally Pearson's remarkable comeback from career-threatening injuries has not been enough to win the IAAF world athlete of the year award.
Pearson was nominated but not named as a finalist for the prestigious award after a three-way voting process.
Ethiopian distance runner Almaz Ayana, Greek pole vaulter Ekaterini Stefanidi and heptathlon world champion Nafissatou Thiam of Belgium are the three athletes remaining in contention for the women's award.
The IAAF's process saw half of the votes come from the governing body's council, 25 per cent from IAAF member federations and committee members, and the remaining portion from a public vote conducted on social media.
Pearson stunned international athletics by winning the 100m hurdles at September's world championships in London.
The performance capped a return from a hamstring injury that ended any chances of defending her Olympic crown in Rio last year, coming on the back of a broken wrist the previous year and a separate Achilles problem.
The 2017 world title was her third major crown, previously winning gold at the 2011 world championships in Daegu and the 2012 London Olympics.
Mo Farah, Wayde van Niekerk and Mutaz Essa Barshim have been nominated for the men's IAAF gong.
Farah won the 10,000-metre title and a silver medal in the 5,000 at the world championships in London, while Van Niekerk defended his 400m title and finished second in the 200m.
Barshim won the world high jump title, clearing 2.35 metres without a miss.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on November 24.
