By Gary Anderson

October 1 - Missy Franklin is going for a hat-trick of female athlete of the year awards at the Golden Goggles in Los AngelesOlympic gold medallists and 2013 world champions Missy Franklin, Katie Ledecky and Ryan Lochte are the leading contenders in the race to be crowned female and male athletes of the year at the Golden Goggle Awards next month.

Four-time Olympic champion Franklin, who won a record six gold medals at this year's International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Championships in Barcelona, and Ledecky, who claimed four golds, are joined on the female athlete of the year shortlist by Haley Anderson, who bagged the United States' first gold medal at this year's event in the women's five kilometre open water race.

Franklin, 18, picked up the award in 2011 following her three World Championship golds in Shanghai and again in 2012 for her performances in London, while Ledecky was awarded the breakout performer of the year following her victory in the 800 metres freestyle at the 2012 Games.

Lochte added three World Championship titles to his two London 2012 gold medals this year, and he is up against 100 metre backstroke world champion Matt Grevers for the male athlete of the year award.

Lochte will be looking to equal the great 18-time Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps by picking up the individual award for the fourth time after his wins in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Ryan Lochte could equal Michael Phelps by picking up a fourth male athlete of the year award next month at the Golden Goggle AwardsRyan Lochte could equal Michael Phelps by picking up a fourth male athlete of the year award next month at the Golden Goggle Awards
























Running since 2004, the Golden Goggle Awards recognise the achievements of American swimmers, particularly at major international events, and money raised from the gala awards night, due to place this year at the JW Marriot LA Live Hotel in Los Angeles on November 24, goes back into supporting the work of the USA Swimming Foundation.

As well as the male and female athletes of the year being recognised other awards on the night include the breakout performer of the year which is between Jimmy Feigen, Chase Kalisz, Simone Manuel and Michael McBroom and the perseverance award given to an athlete who has come back from adversity, retirement, illness or injury, and the shortlist includes Eugene Godsoe, Elizabeth Pelton, David Plummer and Megan Romano.

The shortlist, meanwhile, for coach of the year includes Rick DeMont, Bruce Gemmell, Dave Salo, Todd Schmitz and Gregg Troy.

There are also awards for the relay performance of the year, male race of the year and female race of the year.

Franklin, Ledceky, Lochte and Grevers all feature on the shortlists in the race of the year categories.

More information about the nominees and the online fan voting for each category is available by clicking here.