KINGSTON, Jamaica – The editors of Time Magazine have chosen Jamaica’s Hon. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt as nominees for its 2012 Time 100 Poll. Voters can cast their votes now for the list of leaders, artists, innovators, icons and heroes included as part of the magazine’s nomination process to rank the most influential people in the world. Official voting ends on Friday, April 6, and the poll winner will be included in the TIME 100 issue. The complete TIME 100 list will be chosen by the publication’s editors and revealed on TIME.com on Tuesday, April 17.
The Hon. Portia Simpson Miller is the island’s first female Prime Minister – her second time serving in the position. She was inaugurated on January 5, 2012, winning against Jamaica’s youngest Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Currently, her office focuses on bringing investment opportunities to the island and improving the lives of Jamaicans, having recently hosted the first Jamaica Investment Forum in March.
The island of Jamaica is this year celebrating its 50th Anniversary of Independence with destination-wide activities (Official date: August 6, 2012). To commemorate, the country is planning to have a “Jamaica House” in London for Jamaicans overseas and non-Jamaicans alike to observe the occasion while cheering on star runner Usain Bolt and the Jamaica track and field team as they compete this August at the 2012 London Olympics.
Endorsed by Puma, Bolt has gained extensive notoriety on-and-off the track, becoming a household name not only in Jamaica but around the world. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bolt ran a record 9.69 in the 100-m, and in the 2009 Worlds, he clocked in at 9.58 — another 100-m record.
“We’re honored that Jamaica’s highest office and one of the country’s beloved athletes are ranked on Time’s 2012 Poll list,” said John Lynch, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “We congratulate our Prime Minister for her leadership and applaud Bolt as he serves as a wonderful ambassador for his country.”
To vote for the Hon. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Usain Bolt, visit http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,2107952,00.html, scroll down and click on their respective names to vote on their pages.
