After three days of hectic interviews, highly competitive golf and racing with the Academy members, a game of football with local children should have been a relaxing way to start the day of the awards – It wasn’t! But then what do you expect when professional sportsmen and women take part, namely Daley Thompson, Butch James, Hugo Porta and Nawal El Moutawakel. Watching the launch of a new Laureus project right here in Abu Dhabi really showcased the work the academy does week in, week out.
Kevin Spacey hosting the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi
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. Read more
Eunice Kennedy Shriver won the Laureus Sport for Good Award at our inaugural Awards ceremony in 2000. Prince Albert of Monaco and World Sports Academy Chairman, Edwin Moses, presented the award to Mrs Kennedy Shriver for her tremendous contribution to society through sport as founder of the Special Olympics. Read more
The recent announcement of Kelly Slater as Laureus World Action Sportperson of the Year was the last of this year’s Awards presentations. So here’s our final summary of the 2009 winners:
Sportsman of the Year - Usain Bolt
Sportswoman of the Year - Yelena Isinbayeva
Breakthrough of the Year - Rebecca Adlington
Sportsperson with a Disability - Daniel Dias
Comeback of the Year - Vitali Klitschko
Team of the Year – China Olympic Team
Action Sportsperson of the Year - Kelly Slater
From now on we’ll be having a regular look at the contenders for next year’s Awards. Feel free to give us your own selections…
