Global Sports Stars Recognized at Prestigious Laureus Ceremony
American gymnast Simone Biles and Swedish pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis claimed top honors as Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year at Monday's Laureus World Sports Awards. Biles added three Olympic golds and a silver to her historic career tally at Paris 2024, while Duplantis successfully defended his Olympic title and twice shattered his own world record.
Team Triumphs and Career Milestones
Spanish football giants Real Madrid earned Team of the Year recognition after securing both the Champions League and La Liga titles in 2023. Barcelona's 17-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal received the Breakthrough Award, becoming the youngest-ever recipient. Tennis legend Rafael Nadal accepted the Sporting Icon award, while surfing pioneer Kelly Slater claimed Lifetime Achievement honors.
Resilience Rewarded
Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade's remarkable comeback from multiple ACL injuries culminated in three Paris medals, including floor exercise gold, earning her the Comeback of the Year award. British cyclist Tom Pidcock battled mechanical issues to defend his Olympic mountain biking title, securing the Action Sportsperson award.
