The six candidates for the title of Best Athlete of 2008 have already been selected by an electoral college made up of sports personalities, athletes, former athletes, sports officials, and journalists. Now it's the public's turn to vote.

Diego Hypólito, two-time world champion and absolute leader in floor exercise according to the FIG (International Gymnastics Federation) rankings, was selected for the third consecutive year and is competing for the Best Athlete of 2008 Trophy alongside Robert Scheidt (Sailing) and Cesar Cielo (Swimming). Even if he doesn't win, Diego is already among the year's best. The red-and-black athlete was nominated as the best in artistic gymnastics.

The same electoral college also chose the best athlete in each of the 43 Olympic sports. The red-and-black Marina Canetti was elected the best representative of water polo, beating highlights in the men's class.

All athletes will be honored during the 2008 Brazil Olympic Awards ceremony, on December 16, at the MAM (Museum of Modern Art), in Rio de Janeiro.

Voting, which runs until December 15th, via the Internet, can be done through the website www.premiobrasilolimpico.com.br or through the link on the Brazilian Olympic Committee website (www.cob.org.br).

Check out Diego Hypólito's profile, according to the COB website:

The year 2008 was an emotional one for two-time world floor champion Diego Hypólito. In his preparation for the Olympic Games, the athlete had to overcome a serious knee injury and dengue fever. Having recovered, the gymnast finished second in the floor exercise at the Moscow World Cup and won the Brazilian interclub title in the individual all-around. In August, in Beijing, he achieved the best result in the history of the sport among Brazilian men. In his specialty, the floor exercise, Diego reached the final with the highest score. A favorite, he was performing flawlessly until, in the final movement, he made a mistake that knocked him off the podium. Despite this, sixth place in his Olympic debut is an unprecedented result for Brazilian artistic gymnastics.