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MADRID, FEBRUARY 26, 2024 – The nominations for the 25th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards have been revealed, marking the start of the countdown to sport's most prestigious night, which takes place on April 22 in Madrid. The Laureus Awards are recognized as the ultimate global award for athletes and remain the benchmark for global sports stars, who hope each year see their name adds to the list of winners that includes the greatest athletes of all time. The official announcement of the nominations took place at the historic Casa de Post of Madrid, seat of the presidency of the Community of Madrid, in the presence of representatives of the partners and hosts of the trophies, including the president of the Madrid region, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, and the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida. Sports legends and members of the Laureus Academy, like Luis Fig, Ruud gullit, Nawel El Moutawakel and Alessandro Del Piero, were also present during this announcement. Six nominees were selected in each of the seven traditional award categories by the 1300 members of the Laureus international media jury and, for the Laureus Disabled Sportsman of the Year AwardBy a vote of the International Paralympic Committee. In addition to categories elite, the Laureus Sport for Good Prize will reward a program that illustrates the inspiring words of Laureus’ first patron, Nelson Mandela, who said “sport had the power to change the world”. But what makes these awards unique is the final stage of the selection process: a vote by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, made up of Olympic champions, world record holders, athletes who have redefined their sport and who today form the ultimate jury of greatness in sport. After its resounding coronation last year in Paris, Lionel Messi is once again one of the nominees for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award, a year in which he won a record eighth Ballon d'Or and led Inter Miami CF to victory in the League Cup (his 44th trophy, another record). Novak Djokovic, four-time winner of this prize, won in Melbourne, New York and Paris to reach a whopping 24 major titles, thus equaling Margaret Court and the historic record for Grand Slams in tennis. Max Verstappen won this award in 2022 and, thereyear latest, set new records with 10 consecutive Grand Prix victories and 19 victories in the heart of the season, becoming the fifth Formula 1 driver to score a hat-trick in the drivers' championship. Mondo Duplantis broke his own pole vault world record twice, before winning a second world title. Since Usain Bolt in 2015, no sprinter had managed to win everything at a World Championship until Noah Lyles won gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. Erling Haaland scored 52 goals for Manchester City and won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup. Four-time Laureus Sportsman of the Year Novak Djokovic said : “I am delighted to be nominated again for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award. I have won this trophy four times already, and each of these editions has been very special and unforgettable in its own way. It's an honor that has few equals, because it's the Laureus Academy that makes the decision, and they know what it's like to reach the top in sport, as well as what it's like to you need to stay there. This year, as always, I am impressed by the quality of the athletes I am nominated alongside. That’s what makes the Laureus Awards so special to us, and that’s why we want to win as much as we do when we compete.” Three of our nominees for the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award shone during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. The Kenyan Faith Kipyegon became the first woman to win the 1500m-5000m double. Sha'Carri Richardson won a historic 100m from color number 9 in his first world final, without forgetting his gold medal in the 4x100m relay. Shericka Jackson won the 200m in 21,41 seconds, the second world performance of all time, just seven hundredths of a second behind Florence Griffith's record-Joyner 35 years old. In tennis, the Polish Iga Swiątek won her third title at Roland-Garros in 2023 while regaining her number 1 place in the world rankings thanks to her coronation at the WTA Finals in Cancun. The female footballer of the year is undoubtedly Aitana Good morning : she won the World Cup, as well as the Ballon d'Or for best player of the tournament, with Spain, La Liga F et the Women's Champions LeagueUEFA with FC Barcelona Femení, and finally the Ballon d’Or. Finally, 2023 was the year of Mikaela Shiffrin, which surpassed the record of 86 World Cup victoriesIngend Stone ground, while winning his seventh gold medal in giant slalom at the World Championship. Le Laureus Prize for Revelation of the Year rewards athletes who have reached a milestone in 2023. Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid for 103 million euros just before his 20th birthday and logically won the Golden Boy award for best player under 21 in Europe. He also had a successful debut at the Bernabéu with 10 goals in his first 10 matches. Coco Gauff won his first Grand Slam title at age 19 with his victory over Arina Sabalenka in the final of the US Open. qin haiyang became the first swimmer in history to win all three breaststroke events (50, 100 and 200m) at the World Championships. Josh Kerr beat the big favorite Jakob Ingebrigsten to win gold in the 1500m at the end of the race of his life at the World Athletics Championships. During the Women's World Cup in Australia, the goals of Salma Paralluelo allowed Spain to win the title. For her part, she became the first footballer to win the U-17, U-20 and senior World Cups. The Colombian Linda caicedo played in these three tournaments in the same year, three years after learning that she had ovarian cancer. The nominees for the Laureus Team of the Year Award represent victorious groups who have reached new levels of success in 2023. TheSpanish women's football team beat England to win their first World Cup in a tournament that took women's football to a new level of popularity. L'German men's basketball team, led by the tournament's MVP, Brooklyn Nets player Dennis Schröder, created the feat and won a thrilling semi-final of the FIBA Basketball World Cup against the United States, before winning the title against Serbia. For Manchester City, the Champions League finally won concluded an unforgettable season, also marked by titles in the Premier League and FA Cup. THE Springboks brilliantly won their fourth Rugby World Cup male thanks to their single-point success against New Zealand at the end of a memorable final. Oracle Red Bull Racing achieved perfection with victories in all but one race and a second consecutive World Constructors' Championship title. Finally, theEuropean Ryder Cup team crushed the United States 16 ½ to 11 ½ in Rome, well launched with a 4-0 in the first session of the foursomes. Pep Guardiola said : “We are very proud that the club has been nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year award. Of course we are nominated because we won a lot last season and the credit goes to all our players, all our staff who worked so hard throughout the season to be competitive in England and across the Europe. “It’s an honor to be part of such an illustrious list of teams who also achieved significant success at the elite level of their sport last year.” Le Laureus Sport for Good Prize is the reason for the Laureus movement and supports more than 300 programs around the world. Since its creation, it has had a positive impact on the lives of more than six and a half million young people. Each year, at the discretion of the Laureus Academy, the Laureus Sport for Good Prize is awarded to one of these programs. The 2023 shortlist includes: Bola Pra Front, a program that uses sport to develop life skills and empower young people in communities in Rio de Janeiro, Foundation Rafa Nadal, which uses sport and education to empower more than 1000 young people in vulnerable situations in Spain and India; ISF Cambodia, whose goal is to lift young people from urban slums and rural communities across this country out of poverty; Dancing grounds, based in New Orleans, USA, which is an inspiring program that combines dance and creativity with issues of social justice; Justice Desk Africa, which uses sport to enable young South Africans to understand and defend their human rights; And Target Napoli, which works with more than 100 girls and boys at risk of social exclusion and facing difficulties in Naples, Italy. Le Laureus Extreme Sportsman of the Year Award rewards reckless athletes who are not afraid to take risks and whom we admire from our comfortable seats. In 2023, two young skaters were in the spotlight: Arisa Trev, aged 13, who became the first woman to land a 720 in competition and won two gold medals at the X-Games; And Raysa Loyal, two years his senior, who won gold at the World Skateboarding Championships street, X-Games and Pan American Games. Two world surfing champions join this list: Philip Toledo who retained his title after an epic duel with Ethan Ewing; and the 21 year old surfer Caroline Marks, winner over five-time champion Carissa Moore, who has just sat at the top of women's surfing. Already winner of this prize in 2022, Bethany Shriever is nominated again after a year in which she regained her crown as BMX world champion. Finally, Kirsten Neuschȁfer became the first woman to win a solo round-the-world sailing trip via the three great capes during the Golden Globe Race. Some of the greatest sports stories aren't about where they're going, they're about their journey. First of the nominees for the Laureus Comeback of the Year Award, Simone Biles returned to gymnastics after a two-year absence that allowed her to focus on her mental health, and in what way: by winning four gold medals at the World Championships. Sébastien Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer shortly after joining Borussia Dortmund. And yet, he managed to make his debut after six months of treatment and surgery. Siya Kolisi returned to rugby just 119 days after suffering a partial rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and led the Springboks to victory at the Rugby World Cup. Katarina Johnson-Thompson left the Tokyo Games and the heptathlon competition on a wheelchair. Two years later, back on the world stage, she won her second world title. In 2022, Marketa Vondrousová attended Wimbledon as a spectator after a series of injuries put her career on hold. A year later, in 2023, she became the first unranked tennis player in the open era to win at SW19. The Denver Nuggets' first-ever NBA title marked the end of an incredible comeback for Jamal Murray, who had been sidelined for 18 months due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The pre-selection list of Laureus Disabled Sportsman of the Year Award includes athletes whose exploits marked the year 2023. Danylo Chufarov won three gold and one silver medals and broke two world records at the Allianz World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester, 14 years after his last major title at the European Para Swimming Championships in 2009. Still in Manchester, the Italian Simone Barlaam dominated the S9 category, winning an incredible total of six gold medals, including a world record in the 50m freestyle. At the World Para-Athletics Championships in Paris, Luca Ekler offered himself the 200 and 400m titles, as well as gold in the T38 long jump, not forgetting his silver medal in the 100m. Long jump specialist, Markus rehm delivers unrivaled performances. The German won a sixth world title, which must be added to his four Paralympic gold medals, and established a fourteenth world record. The New Zealander Nicole Murray shone on the track as well as on the road, winning two gold and two silver medals at the Para-cycling Road World Cup series, then gold, silver and bronze at the Championships of the UCI cycling world. She de Groot extended his winning streak in wheelchair tennis to 127 matches, winning a third calendar Grand Slam in a row, a record in tennis history. As Madrid prepares for the Laureus World Sports Awards in April, a city legend, and full member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, is looking forward to one of the most important dates on the global sporting calendar. Former captain of Real Madrid and the Spanish team, Raul Gonzalez Blanco said : “We are targeting a special moment for sport around the world and the timing could not be better for the Laureus World Sports Awards to arrive in my city, Madrid. With these nominations, we not only celebrate the best athletes of today, but also those who can lay claim to being among the greatest of all time. This list has to include Simone Biles, after her incredible comeback, and Mikaella Shiffrin, who became the most successful World Cup skier of all time. It must also include Novak Djokovic after his latest Grand Slam successes. But, in my opinion, there are many other athletes nominated who are on their way to becoming greats in history.” “They are all champions and, as an elite athlete, they share something unique. And that's why the Laureus Awards are the most important to them, because they represent the best of the best in all sports. Being nominated for a Laureus trophy is already something to celebrate!' The media accreditation process for the Laureus World Sports Awards 2024 in Madrid is now open. Media wishing to submit an accreditation request are invited to go to accreditation.laureus.com. The full list of nominees: LAUREUS AWARD FOR WORLD SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Tennis – won three Grand Slam tournaments, finishing 2023 with a record-equalling 24 titles Mondo Duplantis (Sweden) Athletics – twice improved his own pole vault world record and won a second world title Erling Haaland (Norway) Football – scored 52 goals in Manchester City's treble Noah Lyles (USA) Athletics – won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Championships Lionel Messi (Argentina) Football – won an eighth Ballon d'Or and a record 44th trophy Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Motor racing – won his third consecutive Formula 1 world championship title LAUREUS AWARD FOR WORLD SPORTSPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR Aitana Good morning (Spain) Football – won the World Cup, Champions League and La Liga F, as well as the Ballon d’Or Shericka Jackson (Jamaica) Athletics – won 200m gold at the World Championships Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) Athletics – became the first woman to win the 1500m-5000m double at the World Championships Sha'Carri Richardson (USA) Athletics – won gold in the 100m and 4x100m relay Mikaela Shiffrin (United States) Alpine skiing – became the athlete with the most World Cup victories Iga Swiątek (Poland) Tennis – won Roland Garros and regained his world number 1 position at the WTA Finals LAUREUS AWARD FOR WORLD TEAM OF THE YEAR European Ryder Cup Team – regained the trophy by dominating the competition in Rome German men's basketball team – was crowned FIBA world champion after resounding victories against the United States and Serbia Manchester City (UK) Football – completed the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula One Team (Austria) – clinched a second consecutive constructors' title after winning all but one of the season's races South Africa men's rugby team – won a record fourth World Cup Spain women's football team – won the World Cup at the end of a landmark tournament in Australia LAUREUS AWARD FOR WORLD REVELATION OF THE YEAR Jude Bellingham (UK) Football – won the Golden Boy and became the new star of Real Madrid Linda caicedo (Colombia) Football – participated in the U-17, U-20 and Senior World Cups in the same year Coco Gauff (United States) Tennis – won his first Grand Slam title with the US Open, aged just 19 qin haiyang (China) Swimming – won all breaststroke events (50m, 100m and 200m) at the World Championships Josh Kerr (UK) Athletics – surprised favorite Jakob Ingebrigsten to win the world title over 1500m Salma Paralluelo (Spain) Football – won the FIFA Young Player Award for Most Promising Women at the Women's World Cup LAUREUS AWARD COME-BACK WORLD OF THE YEAR Simone Biles (USA) Gymnastics – after two years away, returned to the top and won four gold medals at the World Championships Sébastien Haller (Ivory Coast) Football – recovered from cancer to play for Borussia Dortmund Katarina Johnson-Thompson (UK) Athletics – won World Championships heptathlon gold after multiple injuries Siya Kolisi (South Africa) Rugby – returned from torn anterior cruciate ligament to lead his country to World Cup glory Jamal Murray (Canada) Basketball – won the NBA title with Denver after 18 months away from the field Marketa Vondrousová (Czechia) Tennis – won Wimbledon as an unseeded player after numerous injuries LAUREUS AWARD FOR WORLD SPORTSMAN WITH A HANDICAP OF THE YEAR Simone Barlaam (Italy) Para-swimming – won six gold medals at the World Para-swimming Championships Danylo Chufarov (Ukraine) Para-swimming – broke two world records and won three gold medals at the World Para-swimming Championships She de Groot (Netherlands) Wheelchair tennis- won a third calendar Grand Slam in wheelchair tennis Luca Ekler (Hungary) Para-athletics – won gold in 200m and 400m as well as long jump at the World Para-Athletics Championships Nicole Murray (New Zealand) Para-cycling – was crowned road and track world champion in 2023 Markus rehm (Germany) Para-athletics – won a sixth world title and broke a 14th world record in long jump LAUREUS AWARD FOR WORLD EXTREME ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Raysa Loyal (Brazil) Skateboard – won gold medals in street during the three major championships of 2023 Caroline Marks (USA) Surfing – won her first world title and became a star in the making Kirsten Neuschȁfer (South Africa) Sailing – became the first woman to win a solo round-the-world trip via the three great capes Bethany Shriever (UK) BMX – regained his world title in Glasgow Philip Toledo (Brazil) Surfing – retained his world title in California Arisa Trev (Australia) Skateboard – became the first skateboarder to achieve a 13 in competition at age 720 LAUREUS AWARD SPORT FOR GOOD Programs offered by a specialist jury; the Laureus Academy selects the winner Bola Pra Front (Brazil) Multisport x employment – uses sport and education to increase opportunities for young people Dancing Grounds (United States) Dance x social integration – promotes social justice through dance Foundation Rafa Nadal (Spain) Tennis x education – uses sport in Mallorca and India to empower young people ISF Cambodia Football x education – wants to break the cycle of poverty through the power of football Justice Desk Africa (South Africa) Multisport x human rights – empowers young people to defend their human rights through sport Target Napoli (Italy) Multisport x inclusion – develops social skills among young people in situations of exclusion and distress |
