Laureus Chairman Edwin Moses pays tribute to Nelson Mandela
Laureus World Sports Academy Chairman Edwin Moses has paid a heartfelt tribute to Nelson Mandela, the Patron of Laureus, following the news of his death in Johannesburg.
Edwin Moses said: “On behalf of the Laureus World Sports Academy, I would like to say this is a very sad day. Nelson Mandela was a great and a good man. We have lost one of the truly immense figures in the history of our world. We would like to send our condolences to his family and to his nation.”
Former President Mandela played a significant role in the creation of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and was an inspiration to its work for more than a decade.
Moses added: “Many tributes will be paid to him for what he did for his nation, for the unity of his people, for his steadfast beliefs and for the magnanimity he showed when he became President of South Africa and I whole-heartedly concur with all that. But my most vivid memory of him is the role he played in the creation of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
“He will be sadly missed as a father figure by Laureus and as a world statesman, but Laureus will now aim to continue its work with even greater resolve to perpetuate the memory of President Mandela and to do our best to use sport to change the world and improve people’s lives, as he wanted us to.”
Edwin Moses said: “On behalf of the Laureus World Sports Academy, I would like to say this is a very sad day. Nelson Mandela was a great and a good man. We have lost one of the truly immense figures in the history of our world. We would like to send our condolences to his family and to his nation.”
Former President Mandela played a significant role in the creation of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and was an inspiration to its work for more than a decade.
Moses added: “Many tributes will be paid to him for what he did for his nation, for the unity of his people, for his steadfast beliefs and for the magnanimity he showed when he became President of South Africa and I whole-heartedly concur with all that. But my most vivid memory of him is the role he played in the creation of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
“He will be sadly missed as a father figure by Laureus and as a world statesman, but Laureus will now aim to continue its work with even greater resolve to perpetuate the memory of President Mandela and to do our best to use sport to change the world and improve people’s lives, as he wanted us to.”
President Nelson Mandela
Laureus World Sports Awards, Monaco 2000
"Thank you. I am happy to be with you tonight at the first Laureus World Sports Awards.
Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in face of all types of discrimination.
The heroes standing with me are exemplars of this power. They are valiant not only on the playing field, but also in the community, both local and international. They are champions and they deserve the world’s recognition.
Together they represent an active, vigorous Hall of Fame…a Hall of Fame that goes out into the world spreading help, inspiration and hope.
Their legacy will be an international community where the rules of the game are the same for everyone, and behaviour is guided by fair play and good sportsmanship. I ask you now to rise and join me in commending the original inductees into the World Sports Academy."
Laureus World Sports Awards, Monaco 2000
"Thank you. I am happy to be with you tonight at the first Laureus World Sports Awards.
Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in face of all types of discrimination.
The heroes standing with me are exemplars of this power. They are valiant not only on the playing field, but also in the community, both local and international. They are champions and they deserve the world’s recognition.
Together they represent an active, vigorous Hall of Fame…a Hall of Fame that goes out into the world spreading help, inspiration and hope.
Their legacy will be an international community where the rules of the game are the same for everyone, and behaviour is guided by fair play and good sportsmanship. I ask you now to rise and join me in commending the original inductees into the World Sports Academy."
