After an incredible year for women’s sport in Scotland, three major championship medallists have been named as finalists for Female Athlete of the Year at the 2017 Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 21 September.

Finalist in 2016, cyclist Katie Archibald is in the running once again, alongside middle distance runner Laura Muir and short track speed skater Elise Christie, for the prestigious award sponsored by Brand Oath.

Olympic gold medallist in the Team Pursuit in August 2016, Katie was straight back on her bike, winning two gold and one silver at the European Championships in France in October. Her success has continued into 2017 with a first individual global title, winning the Omnium at the 2017 World Championships in Hong Kong.

Overall Diamond League winner over 1500m in 2016, Laura put in a stunning performance to win her first major championships medals at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Belgrade. Laura broke the 32-year-old championship best performance to win gold in the 1500m and followed up with a second gold, also with a new championship best, in the 3000m. She came agonisingly close to a medal at the World Championships in London, just seven hundredths from bronze in the 1500m, also finishing 6th in the 5,000m.

At the 2017 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Rotterdam, Elise won gold in the 1000m and 1500m, also taking the overall World title – the first British and first European woman to do so. These titles came on the back of her superb form in late 2016, including breaking the World record over 500m in November.

Paul Bush, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “All three finalists have excelled on the international stage and each would be a worthy winner of this award. I congratulate them on their success and look forward to celebrating their achievements on what will be a memorable and inspirational night.”

Sponsor of the Female Athlete of the Year Award, The Scottish Sun is the number one selling daily newspaper in Scotland. Sponsor of the Sporting Moment of the Year category in 2016, they continue their support of the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards with coverage of all finalists and winners in addition their sponsorship of the Female Athlete category.

Winners across all award categories will be crowned at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in a star-studded celebration of Scottish sport on 21 September at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.