Ten athletes have been chosen to contest this year's award, and the winner will be chosen from a delegation comprised of sports writers and experts from every country.

The winner is due to be revealed on March 10.

Track and field athletes Bolt, Farah and Liu Xiang are on the list, making athletics the most represented sport.

Basketball player James, footballer Messi, swimmer and record Olympic medallist Michael Phelps and gold medal winning speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno all make the list. 

Cross-country skier Marit Bjoergen, tennis star Serena Williams and golf legend Tiger Woods make up the rest of the shortlist.

Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt heads a prestigious list of sports stars ©AFP/Getty Images


They will follow the footsteps of previous superstars, such as Ian Thorpe, Michael Johnson and Carl Lewis.

The award was created in 1981 in remembrance of one of the most celebrated track and field stars in history, Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936.

It is based on an athletes values of integrity, uncompromised sportsmanship, and excellence in athletic competition.

Junior Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the IAA board, Herbert P. Douglas, has hailed the impact of the award since its introduction in 1981.

"The impact that Jesse Owens has had on the world, using sports as his springboard, is immeasurable," he said.

Douglas, a US Olympic medallist from the London 1948 Summer Games, is also keen to continue the legacy of Owens through the Trophy.

He said: "Through this Award we're honouring Jesse's legacy and championing a new class of athletes to follow in his footsteps."

Big names such as Bolt and Farah have been nominated and for good reason.