In the footsteps of legends - Spirit of Sport
The latest episode of the Laureus-presented show features exclusive interviews with female sporting royalty Billie Jean King, Nadia Comăneci and Nawal El Moutawakel. We also hear from England EURO 2025 winner Georgia Stanway, as well as Paris Paralympic hero Jiang Yuyan and Laureus Ambassador Simone Biles.
In honour of International Women’s Day, Spirit of Sport shines a spotlight on the pioneers – both past and present – who have broken barriers, challenged expectations and paved the way for future generations of female athletes to achieve sporting greatness.
We sat down with tennis icon and Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Billie Jean King as she reflected on how the landscape of women’s sport has changed since she first took to the court.
“There were so many challenges,” she said. “When tennis went professional in 1968, they started dropping women’s tournaments, they gave us less and less prize money.”
Unwilling to sit back and accept the status quo, King and eight of her fellow competitors formed their own women’s circuit in 1970, with each signing a symbolic $1 contract. It was a move which carried significant risk, yet it was one they felt compelled to take.
“We had three things that we really cared about,” King told Spirit of Sport. “That any girl, if she’s good enough, would have a place to compete, that she would be appreciated for her accomplishments, not only her looks, and that she will be able to make a living doing what she loves.”
We sat down with tennis icon and Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Billie Jean King as she reflected on how the landscape of women’s sport has changed since she first took to the court.
“There were so many challenges,” she said. “When tennis went professional in 1968, they started dropping women’s tournaments, they gave us less and less prize money.”
Unwilling to sit back and accept the status quo, King and eight of her fellow competitors formed their own women’s circuit in 1970, with each signing a symbolic $1 contract. It was a move which carried significant risk, yet it was one they felt compelled to take.
“We had three things that we really cared about,” King told Spirit of Sport. “That any girl, if she’s good enough, would have a place to compete, that she would be appreciated for her accomplishments, not only her looks, and that she will be able to make a living doing what she loves.”
We are also joined by trailblazers Nawal El Moutawakel, the first Arab and African woman to win Olympic gold, and Nadia Comăneci, who achieved the seemingly impossible – scoring a perfect 10 at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.
“I can’t believe this moment is still inspiring the next generation to play sports and find their passion for something they love,” said Laureus Academy Member Comăneci. “Today is all about women power.
“Yes, we can do it. Yes, we can be leaders. Yes, we have the strength. Yes, we can be together. I knew 50 years ago that women had this power, it was just not talked about.”
In 2026, a new wave of female athletes now carries the torch – and England footballer Georgia Stanway is proud to do so.
In this episode, the two-time European champion reflected on her gruelling comeback from a heartbreaking knee injury which threatened to ruin her EURO 2025 dream.
“I knew that I was short on time,” she said. “Everything I needed to do had to be pretty perfect, there couldn’t be a bump in the road. I was doing everything both at the club and at home to put myself in the best possible position.”
And that unrelenting determination paid off in style as she once again lifted the trophy following a nerve-shredding penalty shootout win over world champions Spain.
“I can’t believe this moment is still inspiring the next generation to play sports and find their passion for something they love,” said Laureus Academy Member Comăneci. “Today is all about women power.
“Yes, we can do it. Yes, we can be leaders. Yes, we have the strength. Yes, we can be together. I knew 50 years ago that women had this power, it was just not talked about.”
In 2026, a new wave of female athletes now carries the torch – and England footballer Georgia Stanway is proud to do so.
In this episode, the two-time European champion reflected on her gruelling comeback from a heartbreaking knee injury which threatened to ruin her EURO 2025 dream.
“I knew that I was short on time,” she said. “Everything I needed to do had to be pretty perfect, there couldn’t be a bump in the road. I was doing everything both at the club and at home to put myself in the best possible position.”
And that unrelenting determination paid off in style as she once again lifted the trophy following a nerve-shredding penalty shootout win over world champions Spain.
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In September, Stanway capped a stunning year by becoming part of the Laureus family, and the midfielder is excited about what the future holds.
“To be a Laureus Ambassador is amazing, I’m honoured to join this team,” she said. “Laureus feel that sport can change lives, and I feel exactly the same way.”
At the age of just 19, China’s Jiang Yuyan announced herself as a sporting superstar at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, breaking three world swimming records and coming home with seven gold medals.
Speaking to Spirit of Sport, the 2025 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability spoke about the physical and mental pain she endured throughout the competition and how she ultimately found the strength to succeed.
We also take a trip to Milan, where Laureus Ambassador and five-time Award winner Simone Biles visited young athletes at the Laureus-supported gymnastics programme, Polisportiva Garegnano.
And finally, Spirit of Sport stops off in Madrid as the 2026 Nominees for the Laureus Sports Awards are unveiled at the Real Casa de Correos ahead of the biggest night of the year in the Spanish capital on April 20.
“To be a Laureus Ambassador is amazing, I’m honoured to join this team,” she said. “Laureus feel that sport can change lives, and I feel exactly the same way.”
At the age of just 19, China’s Jiang Yuyan announced herself as a sporting superstar at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, breaking three world swimming records and coming home with seven gold medals.
Speaking to Spirit of Sport, the 2025 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability spoke about the physical and mental pain she endured throughout the competition and how she ultimately found the strength to succeed.
We also take a trip to Milan, where Laureus Ambassador and five-time Award winner Simone Biles visited young athletes at the Laureus-supported gymnastics programme, Polisportiva Garegnano.
And finally, Spirit of Sport stops off in Madrid as the 2026 Nominees for the Laureus Sports Awards are unveiled at the Real Casa de Correos ahead of the biggest night of the year in the Spanish capital on April 20.
