Farah and Froome up for Laureus Sports Award

And his 2018 has got off to a fine start with the four-time Olympic champion being nominated for one of world sport's most prestigious awards.

The 34-year-old is one of six nominees for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award, alongside double Olympic bronze medallist Chris Froome.

Farah ended his global track career with 10,000m gold and 5,000m silver at the 2017 World Athletics Championships, at the London Stadium.

And he could hardly believe his nomination.

"I'm overwhelmed with the support and recognition I've already received but winning a Laureus statuette would be amazing,” he said.

“It would be even more special given the super talented sportsmen I'm up against."

Froome also made history in 2017, becoming the first man ever to win the Tour de France-Vuelta a Espana double since the Spanish race was moved to its current place in the cycling calendar 23 years ago.

He also won a bronze medal in the time trial at the road World Championships and was nominated alongside Farah for the BBC SPOTY award.

Also shortlisted is fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton, who won his fourth Formula 1 world title in 2017, as well as tennis greats Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – who finished the year ranked one and two in the world after both returning from serious injury.

Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo completes the shortlist, while London 2012 super-heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been nominated in the breakthrough of the year category.

The awards will be held in Monaco on Tuesday, February 27.

Sportsbeat 2018