The world’s most celebrated gymnast, Simone Biles, has been awarded the Sportswoman of the Year title, while Swedish pole-vaulter Mondo Duplantis claimed the men’s accolade at the Laureus awards gala held in Madrid on Monday.
Biles, who secured gold medals in the team event, all-around and vault competitions, along with a silver in the floor exercise at the 2024 Paris Games, marked a spectacular return three years after stepping back from events at the Tokyo Olympics. This win marks her fourth Laureus award.
This achievement ties her with legendary tennis star and fellow American, Serena Williams, for the most Laureus awards received.
“I’m thrilled to be here in Madrid and to accept my fourth Laureus Award,” Biles remarked.
“This is my first time winning this award back in 2017, and Laureus has been part of my journey ever since. There could be a young girl watching me on TV, thinking she can achieve it too.”
Considered one of the greatest pole vaulters ever, Duplantis secured a second consecutive Olympic gold in Paris, breaking his own world record for the ninth time before subsequently smashing it again at the Silesia Diamond League event the following month.
“I am truly honoured to win my first Laureus; this is the pinnacle award every athlete aspires to achieve. After being nominated four times, it’s clear that winning a Laureus is even more challenging than clinching an Olympic gold,” Duplantis quipped.
Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade captured the Comeback of the Year award after her remarkable return from career-threatening injuries, culminating in a gold medal in the floor event at the Paris Games.
Teenage football prodigy Lamine Yamal, who played a pivotal role in Spain’s European Championship victory last year, was honoured with the Breakthrough of the Year award, making him the sixth footballer to achieve this recognition.
Nominations for the Laureus World Sports Awards are compiled by a global media panel, while the winners are chosen by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy. The awards have been presented annually since 2000.
Winners List:
World Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles
World Sportsman of the Year: Mondo Duplantis
World Team of the Year: Real Madrid
World Breakthrough of the Year: Lamine Yamal
World Comeback of the Year: Rebeca Andrade
World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Jiang Yuyan
World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Tom Pidcock
Laureus Sport for Good: Kick4Life
Laureus Sporting Icon: Rafael Nadal
Laureus Lifetime Achievement: Kelly Slater
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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