Six Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games stars were today announced as finalists for the Australian Institute of Sport’s prestigious 2008 Athlete of the Year Award.

Matthew Cowdrey (Paralympic swimming), Heath Francis (Paralympic track and field), Anna Meares (track cycling), Brenton Rickard (swimming), Jared Tallent (track and field) and Ken Wallace (flatwater canoe) are in line for the AIS’s top individual honour.

Meares, who made a stirring comeback from neck injuries to claim a silver medal in Beijing, is vying for back-to-back titles after sharing the award with walker Nathan Deakes last year.

However Meares faces strong competition from the other five contenders, who all won multiple medals in Beijing.

'The AIS is about excellence and all of the finalists certainly achieved this in a remarkable 2008,'AIS Director, Professor Peter Fricker, said.

'The Olympic and Paralympic Games were the pinnacle events of last year and the AIS played a major role in Australia’s success on the greatest sporting stage. 

'I congratulate all of the athletes and coaches who are finalists and for representing their sport, the AIS and their nation with such distinction.

'The AIS continues to be a world leader working with sports to develop elite talent and the class of 2008 reflects this high standard.

'Amazing competitors like Michael Klim, Louise Sauvage, Petria Thomas, Clint Robinson and Ryan Bayley have previously won the AIS Athlete of the Year Award and we look forward to adding to this honour roll on February 4.'

In other awards, Olympic sailing gold medallists Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page are in the running for their third AIS Team of the Year title in four years.

The 2008 AIS Awards will be presented at the AIS Arena in Canberra on Wednesday evening, 4 February, 2009.

A list of all finalists is available.