Usain Bolt faces a strong field of outstanding sportsmen in his quest to capture his third Laureus World Sportsman of the year award. He previously won this award in 2008 and 2009 for his exploits at the Beijing Olympics and the Berlin IAAF World Championships, winning both the 100 meters and 200 meters titles in world record times.

Pat Mathews, editor of the world renowned and respected Athletic International Magazine thinks that Bolt cannot possibly win his third Laureus award with this year's slate of competition: tennis star Serbian Novak Djokovic, who captured the Australian, Wimbledon and U.S. Grand Slam titles this year; 24-year-old German Sebastian Vettel, who was dominant on the Formula One racing circuit winning his second drivers title; World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi, who scored 53 goals for Spanish and Champions League winners Barcelona; and Cadel Evans, winner of the Tour de France championship.

Mathews pegs Djokovic to take the prize for this year. He also thinks that Bolt's chances may actually be suffering from the high standard that he has set for himself. Although losing only once this year due to a false start in the World Championships Men 100 meters final, Bolt did not record times near his current world records.