12.03.2010

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

Kevin Spacey hosting the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi

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09.03.2010

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.

A Laureus award statuette outside the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

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

12.08.2009

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

05.08.2009

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…