HAVANA – Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and Uruguayan footballer Luis Suarez have so far topped the poll for Sportsman Of The Year in Latin America and the Caribbean conducted by the Cuban news agency Prensa Latina.
World record holder Bolt and ace striker Suarez shared the lead with 27 votes apiece earlier this week.
It’s the fourth end-of-year award for which Bolt is being considered following a season in which he regained the 200 metres World title, helped Jamaica to another record in the men’s 4×100 relay, and ran unbeaten, although his copybook was marred by his false start in the 100 at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
Suarez scored four goals for Uruguay as they won a record 15th Copa América earlier this year in Argentina. He was chosen Player Of The Tournament. Nicknamed “El Pistolero” (“The Gunslinger”), Suarez has also been in good form for English Premiership giants Liverpool.
In third place with 12 votes is Argentinian player Lionel Messi, star striker of the Spanish club Barcelona, European champions and winners of the World Club Championship.
Other sportsmen being considered are Brazilian Cesar Cielo, swimming World champion in short course pools and winner of four gold medals at the Pan Am Games Guadalajara 2011, with five votes.
Strangely, Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown did not get into the frame although she won a gold medal at the World Championships in the 200 and ran consistently well. (CMC)
