Reactions from the Winners and the Laureus World Sports Academy

2010 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award – Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt:

After receiving the Laureus statuette, Bolt said: "It's great to receive this Award. It means an awful lot to me."

In a cross chat with Edwin Moses, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, who asked him if after an amazing 2008 and what Bolt had achieved in Beijing, did he ever think 2009 could get any better, he replied: "Definitely, I worked hard and stayed focused. I knew the guys would be coming in and trying to dethrone me. I knew I could do it."

Moses wondered just how low could Bolt sprint 100 metres. Bolt insisted: "Anything is possible. I've already done 9.58secs. I'm just going to keep running hard and keep breaking records. That's the main aim for me."

Moses asked him if he might one day try the 400 metre flat. "Not for now," said Bolt "Maybe after the London Olympics, I want to defend my titles first."

And the 400m hurdles? Bolt smiled and told Moses: "I don't think I will be doing any hurdles! I can't stretch that far, I don't want any hamstring injuries. I'll stick to the 'flat four' if I'm going to do it."

Laureus World Sports Academy Chairman Edwin Moses:

Edwin Moses, himself a double Olympic track gold medallist, paid tribute to Bolt. He said: "Usain Bolt is just one of those totally instinctive natural athletes who comes along once in a generation and totally dominates an event. We are lucky to be able to watch him. It's remarkable what he has achieved at the age of 23. Roger Federer won four Laureus Sportsman Awards and was probably the athlete of the last decade, but the next decade could easily belong to Usain Bolt. Other sprinters will come along to challenge him, but I think if he keeps healthy and keeps his appetite for the track he could set some amazing records. He is a very worthy winner of his second Laureus Award."

Laureus World Sports Academy Member Michael Johnson:

Laureus Academy Member Michael Johnson who lost his long standing 200 metres world record to the Jamaican sprinter, said: "Usain Bolt is one of those athletes I would actually pay money to watch. I have had the opportunity to talk with him about his career and his future. He could dominate for years to come. The only thing that can limit Usain is himself. The most interesting thing will be to see where his motivation comes from over the next few years. But after speaking with him, he seems

to have a great perspective and I expect that he could amass quite a collection of Laureus trophies over the next several years."

2010 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award – Serena Williams

Serena Williams:

"I am just so delighted to win this Award, but very disappointed I cannot be in Abu Dhabi to say thank you in person. It's my third Laureus Award which is amazing and I would like to say thank you to all the Academy Members who voted for me and to the world's media who nominated me. Last year had its ups and downs, so to get this support is fantastic.

"As a tennis player you look at the amazing names of the Academy Members - like John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Boris Becker and Monica Seles - who have won so many Grand Slams and they know what it takes to do that. There is nothing better in sport than being acknowledged by the people that you looked up to when you were a young player.

"The Laureus Awards have been a constant reflection of my career, winning in 2003 and 2007, and I think I was also nominated four more times. I know only Roger Federer has more Awards, so it would be cool to catch him up.

"I've had a few injury problems over the years, so it's been great to get back to the top and be World No 1 again. It's going to be an interesting year with Justine Henin back, but I'm playing well and it was great to win in Australia, and I still want to win every tournament I play. It's going to be a very exciting 2010."

Laureus World Sports Academy Member Monica Seles:

"It hasn't been an easy few years for Serena with injuries being a problem, but she comprehensively proved last year that she was the undisputed No 1 player in the world and deserves this Award. And her victory over Justine Henin in the Australian Open final showed that she is determined to hang on to the No 1 position. It's going to make for a very exciting 2010 in women's tennis."

2010 Laureus World Team of the Year Award – Brawn GP

Nick Fry

Nick Fry, Chief Executive of Brawn GP Formula One Team, who have now become Mercedes GP Petronas said: "It's a huge honour to be collecting this Award. Unfortunately, Ross Brawn, my partner in crime, has to send his apologies. He had an equally important trophy to pick up (an OBE) from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

"A year ago we had a team owner that needed to get out of Formula One. We had no sponsors and things looked fairly grim. Our 719 employees decided to build the car regardless, even though they may not have had jobs and the car may not have got on the grid. The two drivers also continued training, despite the fact that they might have had to watch the races on television.

"We all decided to fight. We had no engine, but Mercedes-Benz came to our rescue and provided us with the best engine in Formula One. Sponsors then came on board - people showed faith in us. We ended up winning six of the first seven races and winning the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships.

"Tomorrow we start again as Team Mercedes Grand Prix Petronas. It will be the first return of a Mercedes Formula One team since 1955, which is a huge honour for us. And one of our drivers, of course, will be Michael Schumacher, the winner of a record seven world championships. My hope is that we can return here next year with Michael for the Comeback Award."

2010 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award – Jenson Button

Jenson Button:

"Wow, I think somebody forgot to tell Laureus I'm 30-years-old. Breakthrough Sportsman!

"In fact, 2009 was a very special year of my life. When I started the season I didn't think I'd actually be racing in Formula One. So to clinch the title with Brawn GP in our first year was a very emotional experience for me, and the team deserve some of the credit for this trophy. I would also like to thank the Laureus Academy for putting me forward for this award.

"This is perfect for wrapping up my 2009 championship. Tomorrow I start my 2010 season, which presents a brand new challenge for me, racing with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team. Hopefully I can come back and get close to holding one of these Awards again."

2010 Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award – Kim Clijsters

Kim Clijsters:

"2009 was a very emotional year for me. At the start I lost my father, and then winning the US Open was an unbelievable emotion. It was an experience I never thought would happen so quickly and so soon.

"It was an amazing two weeks. I'm really happy that I decided to come back to tennis, and that I have my family who like to travel and live this adventure with me. Now that Justine Henin and myself are back, I think I've started a trend with ex-tennis players making a return. I think it is only good for the sport."

Laureus World Sports Academy Member Martina Navratilova:

"Tennis has suffered over the last few years with top class players retiring before their time was up because of injuries and stress. Kim Clijsters threw all that into reverse and staged a truly phenomenal comeback. It takes a really strong turn of mind to be able to return to the hard work and pressure of the tennis circuit, but for Kim to be able to do that and win a Grand Slam tournament within a few weeks is a heroic performance. She fully deserves to win this Award."

2010 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability – Natalie du Toit

Natalie du Toit:

A delighted Natalie said: "It is a great honour to be receiving this prestigious award. It is the third time that I've been to the Laureus Awards and the second time that I've been nominated. In 2010 it is our soccer World Cup, and to hold South Africa's name high is very special for me. I know Laureus was started and founded by South Africans.

"Being a Friend & Ambassador for Laureus makes it very special for me to see what sport can do, how sports people can go into communities and really uplift them. I've seen those community projects, so to Laureus 'well done'."

Laureus World Sports Academy Member Tanni Grey-Thompson:

Laureus World Sports Academy Member and Paralympic legend Tanni Grey-Thompson said: "I am delighted that my fellow Academy Members voted for Natalie. What she has achieved over the last decade has been amazing. Natalie is a fantastic ambassador for her sport and as one of only two people to have competed in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a remarkable athlete. She has shown determination and courage throughout her career and fully deserves this Award."

2010 Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award – Stephanie Gilmore

Stephanie Gilmore:

"This is unbelievable. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would get this award. Winning this Award is up there with winning world titles and I hope I can use it to inspire young girls to do well.

"Only over the last few days have I really learned so much about Laureus, the Academy, the positive projects and the phenomenal people who are behind it all. It has blown me away. I just go surfing, and have so much fun doing it, so achieving this award is amazing."

Laureus Friends & Ambassador Layne Beachley:

Australian surfing legend Layne Beachley said: "Stephanie is a champion in and out of the water and continues to redefine women's surfing with her style and grace. This award is one of the greatest accolades an athlete can ever receive which makes Stephanie all the more deserving of it. It's as prestigious as a world title! It's also very exciting to have Australian Surfing recognized at these awards as it compliments the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation's innovative surfing programme, supporting the indigenous youth at Jan Juc in Victoria."

2010 Laureus Sport for Good Award - Dikembe Mutombo

Dikembe Mutombo:

Former American basketball player Mutombo said: "Thank you to Laureus for giving me such recognition. I'm accepting this award on behalf of my wife who stayed at home every night looking after our beautiful children, making sure they got a proper education and making sure our family stayed strong.

"I also want to thank my beautiful children who continued to support their dad, all the Foundation staff, my brothers and sisters, and my dad who kept me strong. Also all of my employees who are still working in the Congo to make sure my dream and my vision stays alive.

"All I wanted to do was change the living conditions of the people in Africa. It's been very hard for me, every day as I played basketball, to see how many millions of children continued to die on the continent of Africa. More than 1.5 million children keep dying from malaria, which costs only 35 cents to treat. And women continue to die from child delivery, and it costs only 25 dollars to deliver a baby.

"If we are not putting in an effort to save these women and children, our world will continue to suffer."

Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award - Nawal El Moutawakel

Nawal El Moutawakel

An emotional Nawal told the Laureus Academy members: "I am so happy you have chosen me today. And I am so thankful to be here in this wonderful city of Abu Dhabi and in this beautiful country. It is a land of freedom, a land for the love of sports, a land which brought us together tonight.

"Nelson Mandela said some 10 years ago that sport has the power to change the face of the world. It did change me, it totally changed my life. I remember, when I first started, that sport taught me excellence, it taught me determination, it taught me to be the best I can be today and to be even better tomorrow.

"The Laureus ambassadors show, through our actions and through our projects, how we can be role models for the younger generation of today. Our role is to give back.

"My race was the 400m hurdles, and they were the hurdles of life. They were a real school for me. Every hurdle was a lesson. When you fall down, you learn to stand up and come back and be the best that you have ever been.

"I will treasure this trophy for the rest of my life. I have won so many trophies during my career, but this is one of the best."