US swimmers Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin were voted FINA's swimmers of the year, while Germany's Thomas Lurz and Kerri-Anne Payne of Great Britain claimed the open water swimmers of the year honours.

Lochte won 4 golds at the world cahmpionships in July and set the first world long-course record since the ban of polyurethane swim suits in the 200 metres individual medley.

Franklin won five medals at last Worlds including a gold in the 200m backstroke.

Lurz won the 5km world crown, took silver in the 10km and emerged world cup marathon champion in 2011 and Payne claimed the same honour among women, making her the first Brit to earn selection to a home Games, by retaining the world 10km marathon crown in Shanghai.