Laureus Sports Awards

The Laureus World Sports Awards is an annual event that celebrates the achievements of athletes and teams from around the world. Established in 1999 by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the awards are supported by global partners such as Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. The awards ceremony is an opportunity to recognize the hard work, dedication, and talent of athletes, while also raising awareness for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports over 160 community projects in more than 40 countries.

The awards are presented in various categories, including Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, Laureus World Team of the Year, Laureus World Comeback of the Year, Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year, and Laureus Action Sportsperson of the Year. The nominees for each category are selected by the Laureus Nominations Panel, which is composed of more than 1,000 members of sports media from over 70 countries. The Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability nominees are chosen by the International Paralympic Committee.

The Laureus World Sports Academy, an association of 68 retired sportspeople, is responsible for voting to determine the winners of the awards. The Academy also has the discretion to award special accolades, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award, Sport for Good Award, Spirit of Sport Award, Exceptional Achievement Award, and Sporting Inspiration Award.

The public also has the opportunity to participate in the awards by voting for the Laureus Best Sporting Moment of the Year. This category recognizes the moments that capture the essence of sport and its ability to inspire and unite people.

The awards ceremony is a prestigious event, with recipients presented with a Laureus statuette, created by Cartier. The ceremony is held in various locations around the world and is broadcast in at least 160 countries. The first ceremony was held in Monte Carlo in 2000, with South African president Nelson Mandela giving the keynote speech.

Throughout its history, the Laureus World Sports Awards have recognized some of the greatest athletes in the world, including Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Lionel Messi. The awards have also highlighted the power of sport to bring about positive change in the world, supporting community projects that use sport to end violence, discrimination, and disadvantage. The Laureus World Sports Awards are not only a celebration of sporting achievements but also a testament to the ability of sport to inspire and make a difference in the world.