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
Latest update from Martina as the team makes their way towards the summit via the Rongai Route:
DAY TWO: Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Kikelewa Caves (3,600 metres)
Martina and the group on the way to the summit
Hi All,
Day two of the Mount Kilimanjaro climb, and the team and I are enjoying a well deserved rest at camp after an intense day of trekking.
We were woken this morning at 6.30am for breakfast, before departing camp at 8am. Today’s route was quite steep from the outset, but as we crossed the heather moorland, we had the chance to take in breathtaking views of the summit, and with it the realisation of how far we have got to climb!
We can also see that there is LOADS of snow on the summit. We were warned about this, but now we can see the reality. It means it’s going to be very, very cold at the top.
Mount Kilimanjaro
After a break for lunch, the walk became increasingly difficult, as we trekked towards the jagged peaks of Mawezi, Kilimanjaro’s second peak. We were warned that we may start feeling the effects of altitude at this point, as we climb beyond 3,000 metres. The porters are right, most of us are beginning to get out of breath and finding the walking more difficult.
The porters are keeping us going by singing lots. We’re trying to pick up the words to join in, but we don’t have the lung capacity that they do. They are used to the altitude.
Paralympic cyclist Michael Teuber is amazing, he keeps walking past me at a great pace, and he doesn’t stop smiling.
Michael Teuber
After what feels like a long afternoon of walking, eventually the tents at Kikewela caves are spotted in the distance, a relief for all of us after a hard day of trekking!
Martina
The team need all the help they can get to reach their fundraising target, so show your support and sponsor them at www.laureus.com/get-involved/kili
DAY ONE: Monday December 6, 2010
Forest Trek to 2,600m
Forrest Trail Mount Kilimanjaro
Hi All,
Day one of the Mount Kilimanjaro fundraising challenge and the team are all in high spirits after a consistent but gentle first day of climbing. It feels great to be underway, and I am thrilled to be joined by a group of 27 fundraisers, including the British Olympic badminton star Gail Emms and German Paralympian cyclist Michael Teuber. We are all so impressed that Michael is with us. He is a really determined young man.
After an early breakfast this morning, we made our way to the Marangu National Park gate, where we registered for the expedition. The climb began at the village of Nale Moru, just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. From there, the porters led us on a small path winding through fields of maize and potatoes, before entering a pine forest; it was here that we saw a variety of wildlife, including the Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey.
I was hoping for some great views as we walked, but to be honest the weather so far has not been what we hoped for. It’s been dull and damp and in the distance we have seen thunderstorms and lightning.
The walking today has been fairly easy, we’ve been introduced to ‘pole-pole’ which means ‘slowly, slowly’, to allow our bodies to acclimatise properly, so it has been a gentle day.
We have now all reached the campsite, where we will now refuel with lots of drinks and stock up on carbs before trying to get a good night of sleep and recharge our batteries ahead of the second leg of the challenge early tomorrow morning.
After so many months of planning and expectation I can’t tell you how exciting it is to be on the way at last.
Martina
Grassroot Soccer at the Football for Hope Festival 2010
It’s a Saturday at Leresche Primary School in Soweto, South Africa’s largest township just outside of Johannesburg. Four groups of boys and girls stretch and jostle for position, desperately trying to get hold of the ball in play. They jump up with hands reaching to the sky, repeatedly calling “Coach! Coach!” in hopes of receiving a pass. Finally, a young girl gains the attention of the coach and the ball bounces her way. She gathers it as the rest of circle falls quiet. She stands up proudly and tells everyone why she thinks that 18 is the right age for a young person to start having sex.
Laureus Mercedes on its way to the pole position
NORISRING, GERMANY, July 4, 2010 – Top racing driver Ralf Schumacher, whose AMG Mercedes C-Class car carries the Laureus logo, finished eleventh in the Norisring leg of the DTM touring car championship.
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