The American brilliantly won 800 metres gold in Japan, before following up with another Olympic title in the women's 4x400m. 

She also set the world under-20 800m record and holds the North American under-20 records at 800 and 400m.

Joining Mu is Britain's Keely Hodgkinson, who finished behind her in that 800m final to claim Olympic silver.

Hodgkinson set European under-20 800m indoor and outdoor records this season and was named European indoor and Diamond League champion.

Another Olympic silver medallist, Namibia's Christine Mboma - who claimed silver in the 200m after being forced to drop down from her preferred 400m due to a World Athletics ruling she had differences in sexual development and high natural levels of testosterone - has also been nominated for the award.

Despite changing events, after setting the fastest 400m time in the world of the year to date on June 30, Mboma ended the season with an Olympic silver medal, under-20 world title, Diamond League title and world under-20 world record, all in the 200m.

Finland's world under-20 hammer champion Silja Kosonen, who also set the under-20 European and world record, has been nominated, alongside Ethiopia's Zerfe Wondemagegn, who won silver in the under-20 World Championships 3000m steeplechase, set a national record in the event and qualified for the Olympic final.

The male nominees are due to be announced tomorrow.

The winner will be selected by an international panel of experts and announced at the World Athletics Awards 2021 on December 1.