World’s “greatest” sprinter Usain Bolt pipped the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James to win the ‘Sportsman of the Year‘ trophy for a record-equalling fourth time, while gymnast Simone Biles clinched the top honour in the women’s category at the Laureus World Awards at a glittering ceremony here.
They are the little and large of sport – while Bolt stands 1.95 metres, Biles measures just 1.45 metres – but they were both giants at the Rio Olympics, and enjoyed an ecstatic welcome as they received their statuettes here, the birthplace of the first ever Laureus awards 17 years ago.
Bolt, who won this award in 2009, ’10 and ’13, walked away with the ‘Oscar of Sports’ for the fourth time, thereby joining tennis legends Roger Federer and Serena Williams, and surfer Kelly Slater as four-time Laureus award winner.
Bolt received his award from legendary Michael Johnson, who urged him not to break other people’s records. To which Bolt responded by saying “sorry”.
“I am sorry to have broken your record,” Bolt told Johnson.
“Thanks for the wonderful award. Laureus is one of the biggest awards for me. This is my 4th award and to be equalling it with someone like Roger Federer is great. I am kin great company. It is special,” he added.
Olympic gymnastics champion Biles notched up the ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ trophy, riding on her brilliant achievement at the Rio Games last year, where she finished with four yellow metals and a bronze.
The most decorated Olympian of all-time, Michael Phelps bagged the ‘Comeback of the Year’ award after returning to the swimming pool and scooping five more gold medals.
After the 2012 Olympics, Phelps retired from swimming but came out of the retirement and subsequently at the Rio Games last year, he bagged as many as five gold medals and a silver.
“Looking back at my career today, I can say that Rio was my greatest race,” said Phelps after getting the award.
Formula One champion Nico Roseberg claimed the ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ award. He ended runner-up in 2014 and 2015 but finally won the title last year.
Roseberg said that the last two laps in Abu Dhabi was the “most sensational moment in my racing career.”
“I am really happy to have won the ‘Oscar of Sports’. The last two laps in Abu Dhabi, I didn’t know if my life’s dream was coming true. That stands second behind my wife giving birth to our girl,” said Roseberg after winning the award.
In other categories, Italy’s Beatrice Vio, the only quadruple amputee in international wheelchair fencing, clinched the disability award, while the Olympic refugee team, led by Tegla Loroupe, won the Laureus Sport for Good award for sporting inspiration at the function, which was hosted by Hollywood star Hugh Grant.
The powerful surf therapy programme “Waves for Change”
bagged the Sports for Good award. The South Africa based project used sport of surfing project for vulnerable young adults growing up in the country’s most violent communities.
The world’s greatest downhill mountain biker Rachel Atherton won the Action Sportsperson of the year, while Leicester City bagged a special Laureus Spirit of Sport ward to mark their remarkable achievement by winning English football’s premier league.
Another historic team performance was Chicago Cubs’ first Major League Baseball World Series victory for 108 years. This feat won them Laureus Team of the year award.
The winners were chosen by members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
For the first time ever, sports fans had a chance to make their voices heard in a brand new Best Sporting Moment of the Year Award and that honour went to Barcelone Under-12 team.