Message from Laureus' Founding Patrons

Message from Laureus' Founding Patrons

"For thousands of years the laurel has been a universal symbol of victory in sport. We are proud to mark the new millennium by making that legendary symbol an official honour in recognition of the best in sport worldwide - the Laureus World Sports Awards."

Over our years of personal and corporate commitment to sport, we have been witness to many struggles and many triumphs. It has been our privilege to both console and celebrate with some of the greatest athletes alive. We now find ourselves in the fortunate position of being able to create an arena where the spirit of all their endeavours - the true values of sport - can be recognised and honoured by the whole world.

The opportunity to achieve success is given to few; the chance to reward such success is rarer still. It is therefore with a due degree of gratitude that we set forth on this new venture to recognise the best in sport, and to set a new world standard. Our intention is to make the Laureus World Sports Awards, together with the Laureus World Sports Academy and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, as brilliant, enduring, exciting and memorable as the athletes at its heart.

We hope you share our enthusiasm.

Sincerely,

Mr. Johann Rupert EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN RICHEMONT

Dr. Dieter Zetsche CEO DAIMLER

Johann Rupert at the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Dinner and Auction held at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club in Monaco


Dieter Zetsche meets Nelson Mandela at the Laureus World Sports Awards