Arriving in Abu Dhabi, the first thing that hits you is the heat which is more than welcome when you’ve travelled from one of Europe’s coldest winters! The second is the venue for the Laureus World Sports Awards, The Emirates Palace, which is quite simply breathtaking. How many hotels have you been to where your first reaction is to take out your camera-phone? Add to that the news that some of Hollywood’s biggest stars will be joining the greatest names in sport and you can imagine the sense of excitement here in the capital of the UAE.
It’s been announced that Oscar winning Kevin Spacey is to host the awards with Hugh Grant, Clive Owen, Kyle MacLachlan and Michelle Rodriguez joining him from the world of film. The 46 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy have voted for the awards and many of them have already stated to arrive. Tomorrow, journalists from all around the world will interview some of the members, getting a real insight into their work on projects run by the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation. Following that, the speculation begins – just who will walk away with one of the most prestigious prizes in sport?
