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…

On Sunday in LA, the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award went for the second time in three years to legendary American surfer Kelly Slater, who won a record ninth world title at the age of 37.

At 37, legendary surfing master Kelly Slater completed his most dominant year yet. Claiming an unprecedented ninth world title in 2008, Slater took first in six of the 10 contests he entered. His 8,832 points this year absolutely dwarfed the 6,780 of his nearest competitor.

3 legends - Tony Hawk, Kelly Slater and Robby Naish

Slater received his award at a special ceremony held at the Read more