The first name on the list is Austrian Nordic skier Carina Edlinger, who, guided by her brother Julian, won two golds and one silver medal in the visually impaired category at the recent World Para Nordic Skiing World Cup event in Vuokatti, Finland.

Edlinger's medals meant she retained the crystal globe for the overall title in her event.

She is joined on the list by American snowboarder Brenna Huckaby, who secured both gold medals at the World Cup Final competition in Big White, Canada, to ensure she claimed all three crystal globe trophies available.

Canadian Alpine skier Mac Marcoux is also on the list after winning all four races on home snow at the World Cup Finals event in Kimberley, meaning he secured the overall visually impaired title.

Jesper Pedersen of Norway is the second Alpine skier among the nominees after winning a silver and bronze medal in men's sitting event, ensuring he claimed his maiden crystal globe.

Nigerian powerlifter Folashade Oluwafeniayo is the only non-winter sport athlete on the list.

She broke her own women’s 146 kilogram event world record at the recent World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai with a lift of 86kg, a one-kilogram increase on the world record she set at the World Championships in Mexico City last year.

The public can vote for their chosen athlete on the IPC website until March 6.

The winner will join American Nordic skier Oksana Masters on the list of this year’s winners of the award.