The inaugural award has been designed to give the British public the chance to honour an athlete or team who inspired the nation through their performances at the Olympic Games.

Swimmer Peaty will be one of the frontrunners for the honour, having twice broken the 100m breaststroke world record en-route to earning Britain’s first gold medal of Rio 2016.

Tennis star Andy Murray has also been nominated after Team GB’s Opening Ceremony flagbearer successfully defended the men’s singles title he first earned at London 2012.

Laura Kenny, née Trott, became the country’s most successful female Olympian by defending her team pursuit and omnium titles at the Games to move onto four cycling gold medals.

After achieving the 5,000 and 10,000 metres double at the Olympics, Mo Farah has also been nominated, as well as Max Whitlock after he claimed two historic gymnastics gold medals at the Games.

The final nominee is the women’s hockey team, after they claimed a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over The Netherlands in the gold medal match.

"The phenomenal success of Team GB at Rio 2016 created so many memories and inspirational performances that shortlisting just six was a tough task and took much debate," said Ben Hawes, chair of the British Olympic Association's Athletes’ Commission.

"However, we felt these six in their own ways gripped the nation in Rio this summer and are worthy nominees of the inaugural award.

"The Great Britain’s Choice Award is a great way for the public to recognise their personal heroes from the Games, whether it’s how the athletes performed, who inspired them to get active themselves or simply the moment that had them on the very edge of their seat in August."

An online ballot has been opened here, giving fans the opportunity to vote for the winner until November 11.

The winner of the award, presented by Team GB's official supermarket partner Aldi, will be announced at the Team GB Ball on November 30.

The Ball will be held at Battersea Evolution, with the event aimed at celebrating the success of Rio 2016 with athletes and stars from fashion and entertainment.

"We are delighted to be supporting the Great Britain’s Choice Award at this year’s inaugural Team GB Awards; recognising the country’s personal heroes from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games," said Jonathon Neale, joint managing director of corporate buying at Aldi UK.

"As the first official supermarket sponsor of Team GB, Aldi is incredibly proud of all the athletes and we look forward to future success in Tokyo in 2020."