Welcome to Laureus

LONDON, February 6, 2012 - The winners of the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards have been unveiled at a globally televised Awards Ceremony in London. Among the highlights were a record-equalling fourth Laureus Award for US surfer Kelly Slater and a double success for Northern Ireland golf with both Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy being honoured. FC Barcelona at last won the Laureus Team of the Year Award after their fourth Nomination.

The Laureus World Sports Awards are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar.   The winners are chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 47 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic was acclaimed Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after his remarkable 2011 when he won three Grand Slam events - the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open - and took away the tennis world No 1 ranking from Rafael Nadal.

The Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award went to Kenya's extraordinary distance runner Vivian Cheruiyot, who won both 5,000 and 10,000 metres gold medals at the World Championships in Daegu.

Winners of the Champions League and the Spanish League in the 2010/11 season, under coach Pep Guardiola, FC Barcelona won the Laureus World Team of the Year Award.

Northern Ireland golf celebrated two Awards. Brilliant young star Rory McIlroy, 22, was named winner of the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award after winning the US Open, his first Major Championship, while Darren Clarke received the Laureus Comeback Award after his Open Championship victory at Royal St.George's at his 20th attempt and at the age of 42.

American surfing giant Kelly Slater was named Laureus Action Sportsperson of the Year. It was his fourth Laureus Award, equalling the record of Roger Federer, the only other four-time winner.

South Africa's Oscar Pistorius, dubbed the ‘Blade Runner' because he uses carbon fibre blades, was presented with the Laureus Disability Award, after becoming the first amputee to win a track medal in the non-disabled World Championships, a silver in the 4 x 400 metres relay.

England football legend Bobby Charlton was awarded the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his remarkable career.

Former Brazilian international footballer Raí, now a campaigner for social justice, won the Laureus Sport for Good Award.

The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during 2011, were announced at the Awards Ceremony at Central Hall, Westminster, which was hosted by Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe winner Clive Owen and attended by guests from the worlds of sport and entertainment.

The members of the Laureus World Sports Academy present were: Giacomo Agostini, Boris Becker, Sergey Bubka, Nadia Comaneci, Marcel Desailly, Kapil Dev, Mick Doohan, Emerson Fittipaldi, Sean Fitzpatrick, Dawn Fraser, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Tony Hawk, Mike Horn, Miguel Indurain, Kip Keino, Franz Klammer, Edwin Moses, Nawal El Moutawakel, Robby Naish, Ilie Nastase, Martina Navratilova, Alexey Nemov, Gary Player, Morné du Plessis, Hugo Porta, Steve Redgrave, Monica Seles, Mark Spitz, Daley Thompson, Alberto Tomba, Steve Waugh and Katarina Witt. 

Among the other guests present from the world of entertainment and fashion were Bryan Ferry who performed on stage as well as segment host British actress Thandie Newton, Spanish actress Elsa Pataky, American actor Luke Wilson and Israeli actress and model Bar Refaeli.

Other sports guests included:  Schalk Burger Jr, Paul Collingwood, David Coulthard, Johan Cruyff, Lawrence Dallaglio, Daniel Dias, Cadel Evans, Alex Ferguson, Ruud Gullit, Gavin Hastings, Tim Henman, Kelly Holmes, Petra Kvitova, Lennox Lewis, Barry McGuigan, Matthew Pinsent, Oscar Pistorius, Alan Shearer, Edwin van der Sar, Esther Vergeer, Patrick Vieira, Andre Villas-Boas and Arsene Wenger.

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports 91 community sports projects in 34 countries around the world, including five in London. Since its inception, Laureus has raised €40 million for projects which have improved the lives of more than one-and-a-half million young people.

The 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards have had the support of UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson.  Mr Cameron said: "I am delighted that the Laureus World Sports Awards are in London in 2012.  These Awards celebrate the world's top sportsmen and women and highlight the incredible power of sport to make a real difference to individuals and communities around the world.  I can't think of a better way to kick off our Olympic year."

And Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: "The Laureus World Sports Awards coming to London is one of the highlights of an amazing calendar of events taking place in London in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Having the Awards here shows that London is not only the greatest capital in the world but also the greatest place for sport at all levels - from top sports stars to grassroots sporting champions. Laureus and I share a commitment to making sport a positive part of everyone's life regardless of age and ability and I am delighted that they have come to London in such an important year."

Laureus combines the Laureus World Sports Awards, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Laureus World Sports Academy to form a unique international sports organisation that uses the inspirational power of sport as a force for good. The Laureus Foundation is a global leader in research, expertise and best practice in supporting grassroots programmes around the world.

The Awards were announced in seven categories. The winners were:

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Vivian Cheruiyot

Laureus World Team of the Year: FC Barcelona

Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Rory McIlroy

Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Darren Clarke

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Oscar Pistorius

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Kelly Slater

 

There were two additional Awards: The Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to England football legend Bobby Charlton, while Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira, the former Brazilian footballer, now social justice campaigner, won the Laureus Sport for Good Award.

There is a two-part voting process to find the winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards.  Firstly, a Selection Panel of the world's leading sports editors, writers and broadcasters have been voting to create a shortlist of six nominations in five categories - Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, Laureus World Team of the Year, Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year and Laureus World Comeback of the Year.  The nominations for two additional categories - the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year and the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability are produced by Specialist Panels.  The members of the Laureus World Sports Academy then vote by secret ballot to select the Award winners in all seven categories.

LONDON, February 6, 2012 - British Prime Minister David Cameron was presented with a special edition of the prestigious Laureus Statuette as he welcomed a unique collection of the most famous names in the world of sport, past and present, to a reception at No 10 Downing Street ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards.

The state rooms of one of the most historic addresses in the world were alive with Olympic and Paralympic gold medal winners, World Cup winners, Grand Slam winners and world record holders, just hours before the Laureus Awards Ceremony began at Central Hall, Westminster.

Laureus Chairman Edwin Moses presented Mr Cameron with the Laureus Statuette, which is presented to all winners of Laureus Awards and which will now be on display at 10 Downing Street.

At the reception, Mr Cameron also announced the launch of the Sport is GREAT campaign, part of the Government's drive to promote Britain abroad in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Laureus is the first partner to support the sport component of the campaign which celebrates the rich history, culture and ongoing legacy of sport in Britain.

The Prime Minister said: "2012 is a GREAT year for this country. It is fantastic to have Laureus here as our partner, celebrating our sporting history, culture and traditions, and recognising the inspirational power of sport as excitement builds towards the London 2012 Olympic Games."

Edwin Moses added: "It was a great honour for the Academy Members, Nominees and Guests to go to 10 Downing Street and meet the Prime Minister. Laureus is founded on a belief in the inspirational power of sport and we have seen how it can transform lives all over the world and right here in the UK. For over ten years, we have been supporting grassroots sporting programmes across the UK that are supporting young people in situations of extreme hardship and deprivation.  In 2009, the Prime Minister joined my fellow Academy Member Daley Thompson on a cycle ride to visit some of these projects and raise awareness about how sport can be used to tackle the underlying causes of gun and knife crime. We are delighted to be back at No.10 to celebrate the power of sport and support the Government campaign highlighting the great sporting attributes of Great Britain."

Throughout 2012, partners will take it in turns to be guest editors of the GREAT Facebook Hub, and currently Laureus is in the editor's chair. This can be viewed at www.facebook.com/ThisisGREATBritain.

LONDON, February 5, 2012 - Super model Bar Rafaeli and tennis legend Boris Becker chose the heart of London on the eve of the Laureus World Sports Awards to unveil a new polo shirt designed by fashion house Shanghai Tang in support for the mission to use sport as a tool for social change and to help improve the lives of children around the world.

The elegant polo shirt, in dark blue or orange, carrying the Laureus name and the bold number ‘1', will be worn by members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, a unique collection of 47 of the greatest sportsmen and women in the world. Chinese characters on the back of the shirt spell 'Laureus' in Chinese.

The new shirt was launched in the shadow of world-famous Big Ben and overlooking Parliament Square, at Central Hall, Westminster, where the Laureus Awards Ceremony will be held tomorrow evening (February 6).

Three-time Wimbledon winner Boris Becker said: "This is an extremely cool fashion item with a wonderful humanitarian purpose. On behalf of Laureus, I would like to thank Shanghai Tang for producing this shirt and for their generosity in helping the Laureus Foundation to fund its work."

Laureus Academy Members, including Boris, Bobby Charlton, Sebastian Coe, Nadia Comaneci, Michael Johnson, Martina Navratilova and Gary Player, volunteer their time to work for the charitable Laureus Sport for Good Foundation which supports sports-based projects which have helped more than one-and-a-half million young people since 2000.

The shirt is available for purchase online at www.shanghaitang.com and at Shanghai Tang boutiques in New York, Las Vegas, London, Singapore, Frankfurt, Moscow, Hong Kong and selected Chinese stores. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

Since its inception in 1994, Shanghai Tang has been the pioneering luxury lifestyle brand from China. With its mission as the global ambassador of contemporary Chinese Chic, Shanghai Tang interprets Chinese culture and craftsmanship with vibrant sophistication. Offering ready-to-wear for women, men and children, as well as accessories and home ware, Shanghai Tang supports an international network of 45 boutiques in the world's most prestigious shopping districts.

LONDON, February 5, 2012 - Five Olympic legends boasting 19 gold medals between them have used the Laureus World Sports Awards to pass a unanimous vote of confidence in London hosting a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Edwin Moses, Laureus Academy Chairman and one of the most dominant athletes of his generation, hosted a special star-studded Olympic press conference ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards - to be held amid the majestic splendour of Westminster's Central Hall tomorrow night - and said of the Summer Games: "The atmosphere will be unique.

"I have seen London's Olympic venues and they are fantastic. Some of the most impressive and beautiful features are going to be the trees and parks there. When I visited the site there was one particular area where there were wild flowers growing on a hillside. It is going to be very spectacular."

Sergey Bubka, the greatest pole-vaulter in history, said: "It is a great honour to be in London for the Laureus World Sports Awards prior to the 2012 Olympic Games. It will be a unique Olympiad, the first time one city has hosted three Olympic Games.

"It will be a great and historic moment for London, and there will be an unbelievable legacy afterwards. The venues will provide a unique chance for the people of London to bring their kids and do sports. That will have a fantastic impact."

Bubka, a Laureus Academy Member who is also President of the National Olympic Committee of the Ukraine, believes the ethos behind the Laureus World Sports Awards is a perfect fit with the Olympics.

He said: "The Games are all about medals, of course, but I believe their main value is to celebrate humanity. It is about the importance of sport, to give passion to the younger generation, to engage them."

Swimming great Mark Spitz, also a Laureus Academy Member who in 1972 became the first athlete to win seven gold medals at one Olympiad, said: "By and large the Olympic Games is a coming together of the world to compete in friendly competition.

"It is always fun to watch what the results are in all the sports. I'm just jealous I never had the chance to compete in an Olympic Games in London."

Laureus Academy Member Nadia Comaneci, the most celebrated gymnast of our time, said: "I'm very happy that we can stage the Laureus World Sports Awards in London because it is a great pre-Olympic start for what is going to happen in the summer.

"London is the place to be when the Olympics are happening. You have to be there, whether you are a competitor, a parent or a supporter."

Double Olympic decathlon gold medallist Daley Thompson, completing the panel of Laureus Academy Members, revealed he cannot wait for the world to come to Great Britain. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to show people how well we can do things, it will be a fantastic Games," he said.

"I'm just glad that we have the chance to show our country off. We put on big events really well, and no event is bigger than the Olympic Games."

LONDON, February 4, 2012 - Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe winner Clive Owen is to host the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards to be staged in London on Monday (Feb 6).

British TV and film star Owen, best known for films Closer and Children of Men, will be joined by other illustrious stars from the worlds of entertainment and fashion. Also present will be British actress Thandie Newton, who will be a segment host. Her films include Crash, Mission Impossible 2 and Run Fat Boy Run.

Popular Spanish actress Elsa Pataky and American Luke Wilson, brother of Owen Wilson, whose appearances include Legally Blonde, Old School, Bottle Rocket, and The Royal Tenenbaums will be present, along with Israeli actress and popular model Bar Rafaeli.

Hair styling for guests at the Laureus Awards Ceremony is provided by the Daniel Galvin salon in the Corinthia Hotel London.

The 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement, are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar.   The winners are chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 47 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time.  The living legends of sport honouring the great athletes of today.

Among the sporting celebrities attending are:

 

Ade Adepitan Stephen Donald Eddie Jordan Hugo Porta Giacomo Agostini Mick Doohan Kip Keino Sir Steve Redgrave Mansour Bahrami Jonathan Edwards Franz Klammer Jamie Redknapp Franz Beckenbauer Cadel Evans Philip Koster John Robbie Boris Becker Emerson Fittipaldi Petra Kvitova Monica Seles Jamie Bestwick Sean Fitzpatrick Henri Leconte Alan Shearer Serge Betsen William Fox Pitt Denise Lewis Mark Spitz Annabelle Bond Dawn Fraser Lennox Lewis Daley Thompson Sergey Bubka Frankie Fredericks Tegla Loroupe Alberto Tomba Schalk Burger Jr Terezinha Guilhermina Barry McGuigan Andy Turner Sir Bobby Charlton Will Greenwood Edwin Moses Pieter van den Hoogenband Vivian Cheruiyot Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson Nawal El Moutawakel Edwin van der Sar Paul Collingwood Ruud Gullit Kip Keino Esther Vergeer Johan Cruyff Alan Hansen Robby Naish Patrick Vieira Nadia Comaneci Gavin Hastings Ilie Nastase Andre Villas-Boas David Coulthard Tony Hawk Martina Navratilova Steve Waugh Lawrence Dallaglio Tim Henman Alexey Nemov David Weir Marcel Desailly Dame Kelly Holmes Sir Matthew Pinsent Arsene Wenger Kapil Dev Mike Horn Oscar Pistorius Katarina Witt Daniel Dias Miguel Indurain Gary Player   Novak Djokovic Colin Jackson Morné du Plessis

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports 91 community sports projects in 34 countries around the world, including five in London. Since its inception, Laureus has raised €40 million for projects which have improved the lives of more than one-and-a-half million young people.

The 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards have had the support of Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson.  Mr Cameron said "I am delighted that the Laureus World Sports Awards are in London in 2012.  These Awards celebrate the world's top sportsmen and women and highlight the incredible power of sport to make a real difference to individuals and communities around the world.  I can't think of a better way to kick off our Olympic year."

And Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: "The Laureus World Sports Awards coming to London is one of the highlights of an amazing calendar of events taking place in London in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Having the Awards here shows that London is not only the greatest capital in the world but also the greatest place for sport at all levels - from top sports stars to grassroots sporting champions. Laureus and I share a commitment to making sport a positive part of everyone's life regardless of age and ability and I am delighted that they have come to London in such an important year."

Laureus combines the Laureus World Sports Awards, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Laureus World Sports Academy to form a unique international sports organisation that uses the inspirational power of sport as a force for good. The Laureus Foundation is a global leader in research, expertise and best practice in supporting grassroots programmes around the world.

BY SEBASTIAN COE -

Laureus World Sports Academy Member and Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games

I think the Laureus World Sports Awards coming to London is just a fabulous occasion. Laureus is a global organisation and it is absolutely right that we showcase the work we are doing in as many big cities as we possibly can, but of course having the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in London in the same year makes a fabulous synergy.

If you look at the values of the Olympic Movement - courage, respect, determination, inspiration, excellence - you clearly have not only values that are a metaphor for life, but the values that were the driving force for a small group of us over ten years ago, the first members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, who were determined to take sport into all sorts of areas where we know from experience it can resolve an awful lot of issues.

It's not the entire panacea, but when you see Boris Becker and Michael Johnson and Martina Navratilova, giving up their time, going into really challenged communities, using sport as a bridgehead, you can see that the Olympic values are absolutely at the centre of what Laureus is about.

It was really important when we were bidding for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, that we didn't just present a domestic legacy or domestic ambitions. Yes, of course, we wanted more kids in this country to be involved in sport, and actually Laureus has schemes in this country that helps us with that in some really challenged neighbourhoods and in some really creative ways.

But we felt it was important to present an international legacy and we set a very simple target. We wanted 12 million more young people involved in sport

in 20 countries by 2012. You can't do that alone, you have to partner with organisations like Government and the British Council, but you also need that impetus from people in sport and so, a perfect partnership for us has been with Laureus.

The guys on the team have helped take their own personal messages of success and focus into those communities and Laureus has in large part been responsible for us getting to that target a year before the Olympic Games.

Laureus is doing great things in the community, but, of course, we also celebrate sport at the very highest level, which is what tonight's Awards Ceremony is all about. The chance to celebrate the best achievements of the previous year with so many people from the world of sport under one roof is really an extraordinary moment and of course, even better, it helps to financially underpin the humanitarian work of the Laureus Foundation.

You can watch the video on You Tube here

 

LONDON, February 4, 2012 - Hundreds of enthusiastic runners gave a special sporting welcome to Olympic legends Edwin Moses and Mark Spitz ahead of Monday’s (Feb 6) Laureus World Sports Awards, which are being held at Central Hall, Westminster.                                                                  

Moses, who won Olympic gold medals in the 400 metres hurdles in 1976 and 1984, and Spitz, who famously swam to seven gold medals in one Olympiad, in Munich in 1972, were on the spot to wave off competitors in the 5km run through Bushy Park, one of London’s famous Royal Parks, just a short distance away from Hampton Court Palace.

Moses and Spitz are members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, a unique association of 47 of the greatest living sports legends, who volunteer their time to support the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which works to improve the lives of children around the world.

Mark Spitz said: “That was my first time at this Bushy Park event, so I guess it was another sporting first for me. It was a great way to start the Laureus Awards weekend and terrific to see so many people out running. I believe more than 150 people have completed this run more than 100 times – that’s quite an amazing thing. It is a really unique place to go for a run, so I can understand why people would want to do it more than once. It was great chatting to the runners.”

The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during the year, are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar.   The winners are chosen by the Laureus Academy Members and proceeds from the Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Foundation, which supports 91 community sports projects in 34 countries. Since its inception, Laureus has raised over €40 million for projects which have improved the lives of more than one-and-a-half million young people.

The Bushy parkrun takes place every Saturday and is free to enter. It is one of a countless number of sports events which enthusiastic Londoners take part in during the year.

LONDON, February 2, 2012 - Sporting greats, past and present, will be in the audience when the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards is held in London on Monday, February 6.

The latest names to confirm attendance are tennis world No 1 Novak Djokovic, fresh from his Australian Open win, and Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, both Nominees for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. They will be joined by boxing legend Lennox Lewis, the former world heavyweight champion, and Arsene Wenger, respected coach of English Premier League club Arsenal.

At the Awards Ceremony will be a host of Laureus Academy Members, Ambassadors, Nominees and sports stars from around the world, including Boris Becker, Bobby Charlton, Nadia Comaneci, Emerson Fittipaldi, Sean Fitzpatrick, Ruud Gullit, Edwin Moses, Martina Navratilova, Gary Player, Steve Redgrave, Mark Spitz and Steve Waugh.

The current list of sports stars, past and present, who have so far confirmed their attendance are:

Ade Adepitan

Giacomo Agostini

Mansour Bahrami

Franz Beckenbauer

Boris Becker

Jamie Bestwick

Serge Betsen

Annabelle Bond

Sergey Bubka

Schalk Burger Jr

Sir Bobby Charlton

Vivian Cheruiyot

Paul Collingwood

Johan Cruyff

Nadia Comaneci

David Coulthard

Lawrence Dallaglio

Marcel Desailly

Kapil Dev

Daniel Dias

Novak Djokovic

Stephen Donald

Mick Doohan

Jonathan Edwards

Cadel Evans

Emerson Fittipaldi

Sean Fitzpatrick

William Fox Pitt

Dawn Fraser

Frankie Fredericks

Terezinha Guilhermina

Will Greenwood

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson

Ruud Gullit

Mika Hakkinen

Alan Hansen

Gavin Hastings

Tony Hawk

Tim Henman

Dame Kelly Holmes

Mike Horn

Miguel Indurain

Colin Jackson

Eddie Jordan

Kip Keino

Franz Klammer

Philip Koster

Petra Kvitova

Henri Leconte

Denise Lewis

Lennox Lewis

Tegla Loroupe

Barry McGuigan

Edwin Moses

Nawal El Moutawakel

Robby Naish

Ilie Nastase

Martina Navratilova

Alexey Nemov

Sir Matthew Pinsent

Oscar Pistorius

Gary Player

Morné du Plessis

Hugo Porta

Sir Steve Redgrave

Jamie Redknapp

John Robbie

Monica Seles

Alan Shearer

Mark Spitz

Daley Thompson

Alberto Tomba

Andy Turner

Pieter van den Hoogenband

Edwin van der Sar

Esther Vergeer

Patrick Vieira

Andre Villas-Boas

Steve Waugh

David Weir

Arsene Wenger

Katarina Witt 

 

Double Olympic gold medallist Edwin Moses, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said: "I am delighted that the 2012 Laureus Awards is to be staged in London. Sport is close to the hearts of everyone in London and the UK and that makes me very excited that the Awards are being held here. I am thrilled that so many members of the Laureus Family will be there to salute the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of the year."

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: "I am excited that the Laureus World Sports Awards and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation have decided to bring the Awards to London for 2012. Laureus and I share a commitment to making sport a positive part of everyone's life regardless of age and ability.  Celebrating the power of sport here in London with the world's sporting superstars will provide the perfect start to our Olympic year and it marks the beginning of a real and long-lasting grassroots sports legacy for London and beyond."                                                                                                                 

Among the winners who have received Awards at previous Awards Ceremonies have been Jenson Button, Roger Federer, Sir Alex Ferguson, Lewis Hamilton, Justine Henin, Kelly Holmes, Rafael Nadal, Sir Steve Redgrave, Ronaldo, Michael Schumacher, Kelly Slater, Serena Williams and Zinedine Zidane. Guests attending the Awards Ceremony have included His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Sean Connery, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Morgan Freeman, Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey.

Laureus combines the Laureus World Sports Awards, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Laureus World Sports Academy to form a unique international sports organisation that uses the inspirational power of sport as a force for good. The Laureus Foundation is a global leader in research, expertise and best practice in supporting grassroots sports programmes around the world.

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports 91 community sports projects around the world. Since its inception, Laureus has raised €40 million for projects which have improved the lives of more than one-and-a-half million young people.

The full list of Nominees for the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards is:

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year

Usain Bolt (Jamaica, Athletics), Novak Djokovic (Serbia, Tennis), Cadel Evans (Australia, Cycling), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Football), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany, Basketball), Sebastian Vettel (Germany, Motor Racing)

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year

Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya, Athletics), Maria Höfl-Riesch (Germany, Alpine Skiing), Carmelita Jeter (US, Athletics), Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic, Tennis), Homare Sawa (Japan, Football), Yani Tseng (Taiwan, Golf)

Laureus World Team of the Year

All Blacks (N.Zealand, Rugby), FC Barcelona (Spain, Football), Dallas Mavericks (US, Basketball), England Cricket Team (UK), Japan Women's Football Team, Red Bull (Austria, Motor Racing)

Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year

Yohan Blake (Jamaica, Athletics), Mo Farah (UK, Athletics), Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic, Tennis), Rory McIlroy (UK, Golf), Li Na (China, Tennis), Oscar Pistorius (S.Africa, Athletics)

Laureus World Comeback of the Year

Eric Abidal (France, Football), Darren Clarke (UK, Golf), Crusaders (N.Zealand, Rugby), Sergio Garcia (Spain, Golf), Liu Xiang (China, Athletics), Queensland Reds (Australia, Rugby)

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability

Daniel Dias (Brazil, Swimming), Terezinha Guilhermina (Brazil, Athletics), Oscar Pistorius (S.Africa, Athletics), Esther Vergeer (Netherlands, Wheelchair Tennis), David Weir (UK, Wheelchair Athletics), Irek Zaripov (Russia, Nordic Skiing)

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year

Jamie Bestwick (UK, BMX), Philip Köster (Germany, Windsurfing), Carissa Moore (US, Surfing),

Travis Rice (US, Snowboarding), Kelly Slater (US, Surfing), Shaun White (US, Skateboarding/Snowboarding)