Lionel Messi

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, with 20 votes, is leading the men's sports poll of Prensa Latina to choose the best athletes in Latin America and the Caribbean this year.

On Friday, two-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder in the 100 meters flat won ballots from Granma newspaper and Radio Ciudad Bandera and Radio Llanura, all of Cuba.

The Jamaican runner is ahead of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, one of three finalists for the 2012 Golden Ball, who has received 16 votes from the three local media organisations.

Granma, Radio Llanura and the newspaper Siglo 21 (Guatemala) also voted for Cuban wrestler Mijain Lopez, two-time Olympic champion, who has won 10 votes.