The finalists were selected after a two-week-long poll of the world athletics family*.
The Council of the International Athletics Foundation will select the male and female winners, with the announcement taking place live on stage during the 2014 World Athletics Gala in Monaco on Friday 21 November 2014.
Men
Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT)
Dennis Kipruto Kimetto (KEN)
Renaud Lavillenie (FRA)
Women
Valerie Adams (NZL)
Genzebe Dibaba (ETH)
Dafne Schippers (NED)