Messi, Bolt, Phelps and Vettel in the competition for the athlete of the year

Soccer player Lionel Messi, athletes Usain Bolt and Mo Farah, swimmer Michael Phelps, the pilot of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and velosipesidstot Bradley Wiggins will compete for Laureus Award.

Behind us is a great sport, an Olympic year and the choice will not be easy given the candidates we have. I expect this year's election be najneizvesen ever'' - said the president of the Academy and athletic legend Edwin Moses. 's Best Sportswoman of the Year will be fighting athletes Jessica Ennis, Allison Phoenix and Shelly-Ann Price, swimmer Missy Franklin, skiing Missy Vaughn and teniserkata Serena Williams. 'll choose the best team of the year candidate and world F1 champions Red Bull European team Ryder Cup golf, NBA Champions Miami Heat, the Spanish national football team, American Basketball Olympic team and the Chinese Olympic team in table tennis. Laureus Award will be awarded for the greatest sporting achievement comeback'' year, as well as the best athlete with physical disabilities. names of the winners will be announced at 11. March next year in Rio de Janeiro, and the right to vote will have 46 eminent sportsmen and women, members of the Academy.