Simone Biles was awarded female athlete of the month ©Getty Images

Gymnasts Sam Mikulak and Simone Biles have been named male and female athletes of the month by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

The US women's water polo squad have received the team award. 

Biles became the first woman since 1974 to win four consecutive senior women’s all-around titles at the P&G Women’s Gymnastics Championships in St. Louis.

The three-time all-around world champion, a clear gold medal favourite for Rio 2016, finished four points clear of her closest rival on 125.00.

She also claimed gold medals on vault, balance beam and floor exercise, taking her total haul of national titles to 11.

Mikulak joined Biles in Rio after posting the highest four-day all-around score, of 362.750, at the US Olympic Trials.

This followed him claiming a fourth straight US all-around title at the 2016 P&G Men’s Gymnastics Championships.

Sam Mikulak was also honoured for his performances at the US National Trials ©Getty Images
Sam Mikulak was also honoured for his performances at the US National Trials ©Getty Images

He became the first person to achieve this feat in 16 years since Blaine Wilson did so in 2000.

United States' Women’s National Water Polo Team won the gold medal at the 2016 FINA Women’s World League Super Final in Shanghai. 

They outscored their opponents 81-41 in six matches, ending with a 13-9 victory over Spain in the gold-medal game.

This ensured a third consecutive FINA World League Super Final title and 10th overall.

Each National Governing Body can nominate one female, one male and one team per discipline. 

An internal nominating committee selects five contenders from both the male and female categories, and three from the team category to advance to the voting round. 

Sporting representatives and members of the media account for 50 per cent of the final tally, with fan voting determining the other half.