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Simpson Miller for IOC Award

March 7, 2007

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Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller who is currently on an official visit to four European countries will today attend a special ‘Woman and Sport’ awards ceremony organized by the International Olympic Committee, IOC, in Switzerland. She is expected to receive a special recognition from the IOC honouring her leadership role in Jamaica sport development programme.
Mrs Simpson Miller, along with several other finalists, was invited by the IOC to participate in the awards’ ceremony. This annual function, held on International Women’s Day recognizes women who have contributed to the advancement of women and girls in sport. From the scores of nominations received, the IOC selects a winner for each of the five continents – the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, as well as an overall worldwide winner.
Arriving in Lausanne, Switzerland, this evening for the function tomorrow, Mrs Simpson Miller said she was aware that the national Olympic Committee had nominated her for consideration by the IOC, along with the scores of other nominees from national Olympic Committees from around the world.
The IOC Women and Sport Commission Chair Ms Anita DeFrantz says one woman will be selected for each continent and a sixth person will get the world Woman and Sport trophy. It is not know which award Mrs. Simpson Miller will receive, but according to the IOC more than 200 women from international sports federations, athletes, sports administrators are among those eligible for nomination and consideration.
Ms DeFrantz said several of the finalists have been invited to the ceremony in Lausanne which will be presided over by the President of the IOC Dr Jacques Rogge, with whom the Prime Minister will also be holding talks while here. The discussions are expected to cover a range of issues including development of sport in Jamaica and how the IOC could contribute further to its development.
The Prime Minister is also expected to raise with the IOC President the matter of co-operation in aid to assist in developing Jamaica’s women and girls and how sport may contribute to the general development and education of young people.
The March 8 event takes on added significance, taking place on International Women’s Day. Mrs. Simpson Miller said hopefully Jamaica and the region will have a special reason this time to celebrate it.
The ceremony which gets underway at 2.30 pm Thursday (8.30 am Jamaica time) will be carried live on the IOC’s website at www.olympic.ogr.

Last Updated: March 7, 2007

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