It was a very exciting day when it was announced that London would be home to the Laureus Awards for the first time.
The Ceremony has travelled as far as St Petersburg all the way to Abu Dhabi since the first event was held in Monaco back in 2000. And, at the start of the city’s Olympic year, it should be fantastic to hold it in London.
Attention will be firmly placed on who will be up for Nomination for an Award, and this year it could be one of the most exciting contests yet. And it would be great to hear who (and why) you think should be in line for the Awards.
But of course, one of the most important parts of the Awards season will always be the focus it brings to the vital work carried out all year round by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
Oscar Pistorius visting one of the latest Laureus-supported projects last month
The Awards remain so important because of the unique opportunities it allows for the work of the Foundation.
Not only is it a truly great way to promote the work Laureus undertake using sport to tackle issues such as HIV/AIDS, discrimination and health problems, but the Awards is also a valuable fundraiser. Proceeds from the Awards go straight towards helping children and young people the world over work toward a more positive future through sport.
So, if you are interested in seeing how this is happening then head over to Laureus.com to find out more about the work of Laureus-supported projects worldwide.
And be sure to tell us who you think should emerge victorious at the 2012 Awards in the box below or on Twitter @LaureusSport
Layne Beachley has made an unbelievable return to international surfing by winning the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship in El Salvador.
Layne Beachley in action
Have you ever seen an Olympic gymnast take a boxing lesson from an undisputed world boxing champion?
Well, this was precisely what happened today at the Laureus Sport for Good Global Summit when five time Olympic gold medallist Nadia Comaneci was joined by the legendary Marvelous Marvin Hagler in a south London gym.
Marvelous Marvin helps Nadia with her boxing gloves...
...but the lesson doesn't last too long.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Nadia Comaneci were spending the last day of the Laureus Summit at a youth sports facility in south London along with other Laureus Academy Members Sean Fitzpatrick, Ilie Nastase, Franz Klammer, Mark Spitz, Hugo Porta, Mick Doohan, Dawn Fraser and Michael Johnson.
The Laureus Academy Members at the south London sports centre
The Academy Members were there to learn first hand how Laureus-supported projects are using sport to help young people the world over.
To do this, project leaders from PeacePlayers International led a basketball session attended by Ilie Nastase and Nadia Comaneci.
The KickFair project was at the centre to hold a football session attended by Franz Klammer, Mick Doohan and Hugo Porta.
And leaders from the MYSA and Coaching for Hope projects led a touch rugby session with Sean Fitzpatrick and Mark Spitz.
Of course, organisers from Fight for Peace held a boxing workshop attended by Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
It was a really special experience for the project leaders to meet the Academy Members and to show them how their projects really can change the lives of children for the better.
To learn more about what Laureus-supported projects are doing accross the world, be sure to follow us on Twitter @LaureusSport
“It’s taken quite a few years… but it’s happening.”
Opening the Laureus Sport for Good Summit in the heart of London, Edwin Moses addressed the excited audience to express how long he had looked forward to this event taking place.
And what an event it is.
Not only are project leaders from all over the world coming together to share ideas, but they are also being joined by a host of Laureus Academy Members.
Edwin was really enthusiastic about what a great opportunity this would be for project leaders as far afield as London to South Africa to learn about tackling issues that affect all countries equally.
But before the talks could begin, Academy Member Sean Fitzpatrick, still celebrating his beloved All Blacks’ victory at the Rugby World Cup, was keen to teach all those present something a little different: The famous ‘haka’.
The New Zealand dance made famous by the All Blacks.
And luckily it was recorded for you all to take a look at.
But before he gave his haka lesson, Sean had some slightly more serious things to discuss.
And they go to the heart of how sport has shown to be such a unique tool in helping communities the world over.
Sean said: ” It has been a difficult year [for New Zealand]. There has recently been disasters like the container ship off the coast of New Zealand leaking oil into the sea, the mining tragedy and, of course, the terrible earthquakes that struck Christchurch. But having the World Cup really helped… Sport has played an enormous part in building morale once again.”
By Emma Chesworth of Laureus
On the spot at the Rugby World Cup Read more
