UK Prime Minister & Governor of Rio complete Host City handover of Laureus World Sports Awards

RIO DE JANEIRO, September 28, 2012

Rio de Janeiro was host to the formal handover ceremony of the Laureus World Sports Awards this week as they travel from London to the exciting Brazilian state.

It was made all the more memorable thanks to the participation of UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who was passing the ‘baton’ on to Sergio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio, at the Palacio da Cidade. In doing so, Mr Cameron presented a special edition Laureus Statuette to mark Rio’s hosting the Laureus World Sports Awards in 2013 and 2014.

Also at the ceremony were Laureus World Sports Academy Chairman Edwin Moses and Brazilian Formula One legend and Laureus Academy Member Emerson Fittipaldi.

The 2012 Awards Ceremony in London earlier this year really was incredibly successful, no more so than because of the great summer of sport the capital went on to host.

And it was here, in the UK capital, that Mr Cameron was first handed the special edition of the Laureus Statuette, which is given to all winners, to mark London’s hosting the awards in February. Now this has been passed on to Rio de Janeiro.

Cameron said: “Hosting the Laureus World Sports Awards in London this year was the perfect way to kick off an unforgettable year of sport for Britain. Now it's Rio's turn.

"These awards celebrate the very best in sporting achievement but behind that, and even more importantly, is Laureus' commitment to use sport to leave a lasting legacy for young people around the world.

I am delighted to now be handing over the baton to Rio, as it looks forward to what promises to be an incredible few years of sport.”

Governor Sergio Cabral said: “On behalf of the State of Rio de Janeiro, it is my pleasure to receive the Laureus Statuette from the Prime Minister David Cameron. We will be working very hard to deliver another unforgettable edition of Laureus World Sports Awards. I agree with the Prime Minister that for both of us the agenda goes beyond sport and becomes a great tool for social inclusion. Hosting an event like this, which also has social projects involving sports, will help us create a social legacy we will leave for our population”

Double Olympic champion Edwin Moses said: “I know sport is a passion for everyone in Brazil and it is great for Laureus that we are able to go to Rio for the Awards and be part of the celebrations there. I would like to thank David Cameron and Sergio Cabral for the personal support which they have given to us at Laureus.”