Mary Earps is the frontrunner to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year next week after being confirmed on a six-strong shortlist on Tuesday.
But the omission of world 1500 metres champion Josh Kerr has been blasted by World Athletics president Seb Coe, the 1979 SPOTY winner and double Olympic gold medallist in the Scot's event.
Earps is the odds-on bookies' favourite to become the 70th recipient of the award at the show in Salford on Tuesday, which would see her emulate her England team-mate Beth Mead, who topped the public vote last year.