Havana, Cuba.-The 53rd edition of the sports poll of Cuban news agency Prensa Latina Starts Monday, to at the end, award the perfor5mances by the best athletes of Latin America and the Caribbean in 2016.

The reception of votes for the selection of athletes and teams with the best performances of the year, is now open, starting Monday.

The best athletes of the season in each sex will be selected, besides five outstanding athletes and the Best Team of the Year.

Since 1964, Prensa Latina convoked colleagues of the sport offices in all the press media of the region, to choose the best of the year, a continually renovated purpose, staring from the criteria and suggestions of the press professionals participating.

The participation is made by press organization (written press, radio, televgision or websites), and the sports office of Prensa Latina has put a list of athletes with great results in the year, at the disposal of the participants.

Any participating press media may vote for another athlete of the area, who is not included among the ones mentioned by the Cuban press media.

The votes should be sent to the email address deportes@prensa-latina.cu.

They will be receiving votes up to December 21, 2016, and the results will be let known on December 22.

NOMINEES FOR 2016 SPORTS POLL:

FOR BEST MALE ATHLETE:

-Usain Bolt (Jamaica, Athletics).

-Mijaín López (Cuba, Greco Roman Wrestling).

-Oscar Figueroa (Colombia, Weightlifting).

-Ismael Borrero (Cuba, Greco Roman Wrestling).

-Nairo Quintana (Colombia, Cycling).

-Robson Conceicao (Brazil, Boxing).

-Julio César La Cruz (Cuba, Boxing).

-Robeisy Ramírez (Cuba, Boxing).

-Arlen López (Cuba, Boxing).

-Juan Martín del Potro (Argentina, Tennis).

FOR BEST FEMALE ATHLETE:

Caterine Ibargüen (Colombia, Athletics).

-Mónica Puig (Puerto Rico, Tennis).

-Paula Pareto (Argentina, Judo).

-Rafael Silva (Brazil, Judo).

-Elaine Thompson (Jamaica, Athletics).

-Mariana Pajón (Colombia, Cycling).

FOR BEST TEAM OF THE YEAR:

-Soccer (m) from Brazil.

-Court Volleyball (m) from Brazil.

-Beach Volleyball (m) from Brazil.

-Sailing, 49 (f), from Brazil.

-Sailing (mixed), from Argentina.

-Hockey (m) from Argentina.