Madrid [Spain], April 1 (ANI): Numerous top-tier athletes from around the globe will converge on Madrid for the event in 2025. Laureus World Sports Awards at the end of this month, featuring 24-time Grand Slam tennis champion and current Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Novak Djokovic .
The 25th edition of the 'Athletes' Awards,' which stands as the pinnacle ceremony in the world of sports, is taking place this year. This marks the consecutive second time these honors have taken place in Madrid, where the historic Palacio de Cibeles will host the celebration on Monday, April 21st.
World Sportsman of the Year award winner five times over, Novak Djokovic mentioned, "I am thrilled to return to Madrid for the celebration of the 25th anniversary." Laureus World Sports Awards I hold dear the recollection of receiving my fifth Laureus Award in Madrid last year, and I feel honored to participate once more. These awards provide athletes with a special chance not just to gather and exchange stories but also to honor the purpose of Laureus—established by Nelson Mandela 25 years ago—to harness sports for transforming the world.
Since receiving the 2024 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award - his fifth Laureus Statuette - Novak Djokovic won a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, writing his name into the Golden Slam history books.
Among the sporting legends of the Laureus World Sports Academy also confirmed to attend the Awards are six-time Grand Slam champion and Novak's former coach Boris Becker ; football legends Cafu , Luis Figo and Ruud Gullit ; gymnastic great Nadia Comaneci (celebrating 50 years since her 'Perfect 10'), athletics heroes including Edwin Moses and Nawal El Moutawakel, Rugby World Cup winner Bryan Habana plus Olympians Chris Hoy and Steve Redgrave.
Sean Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, expressed his excitement: "Returning to Madrid is incredibly thrilling, as the city and region embraced us with great warmth last year. On our 25th anniversary, we eagerly anticipate honoring the athletes whose performances made 2024 an extraordinary year."
The 69 legendary athletes comprising the Laureus World Sports Academy are responsible for choosing the recipients — placing them in an exceptional position to recognize the remarkable achievements and inspiring journeys of the nominees. These nominees are chosen by a group of more than 1300 leading sports journalists across various categories. Every winner will receive the esteemed Laureus Statuette, which stands as one of the most iconic emblems of athletic greatness.
Academy members along with nominees will be joined by sports enthusiasts from the realms of fashion, film, and entertainment, as well as Laureus Ambassadors including: Fabio Capello , who claimed two La Liga championships with the city’s Real Madrid team in 1997 and 2007, became a renowned tennis champion Garbine Muguruza , who announced her retirement from the sport at last year's Awards, and adventurer Annabelle Bond.
The first release of confirmed guest names focuses on the sporting greats - the Laureus Academy and guests:
Football: Cafu , Ruud Gullit , Fabio Capello , Luis Figo , Kosovare Asllani
Sports: Nawal El Moutawakel, Edwin Moses, Tegla Loroupe
Para Athletics: Tanni Grey-Thompson
Rugby: Sean Fitzpatrick, Bryan Habana, Hugo Porta
Skiing: Maria Hofl-Riesch
Cycling: Chris Hoy
Tennis: Novak Djokovic , Boris Becker , Garbine Muguruza , Mansour Bahrami, Belinda Bencic
Gymnastics: Nadia Comaneci, Li Xiaopeng
Motor Racing: Emerson Fittipaldi
Rowing: Steve Redgrave
Squash: Nicol David
Hockey: Luciana Aymar
Para Swimming: Daniel Dias
Windsurfing: Robby Naish
Cricket: Steve Waugh
Para Fencing: Beatrice Vio
Members of the media intending to participate should proceed as follows: Laureus World Sports Awards Should be submitted at their earliest convenience for accreditation. Besides covering the Awards Ceremony, members of the press who attend will also get the chance to interview Laureus Academy Members and various athletes present in Madrid over a span of three days, starting from Saturday, April 19th through until after the Awards on Monday, April 21st.
Along with honoring the athletic achievements of 2025, Laureus World Sports Awards also serve as a platform to highlight Laureus Sport for Good, an initiative that leverages the impact of sports to combat violence, discrimination, and inequality, demonstrating how athletics can reshape the world. Currently, Laureus aids over 300 projects across more than 50 nations, aiming to revamp societies and enhance the well-being of youth. Since launching in 2000, Laureus Sport for Good has utilized the influence of sports to better the lives of more than seven million youths and young adults.
A crucial aspect of organizing and executing the 2025 event lies in the influence of these awards. In collaboration with Host Partners, as well as entities like the Madrid City Council and the Regional Government of Madrid, Laureus aims to leverage the knowledge and assistance provided through Laureus Sport for Good. This initiative seeks to create an enduring positive effect on the youth residing within Madrid and its surrounding areas. (ANI)
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