Simone Biles and Mondo Duplantis Shine at Laureus Awards
The prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony held in Madrid on Monday celebrated the achievements of some of the greatest athletes, with Simone Biles being named Sportswoman of the Year and Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis taking home the men’s honor.
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, secured her fourth Laureus award after a remarkable performance at the 2024 Paris Games. Biles won gold medals in the team, all-around, and vault competitions, along with a silver in the floor exercise, marking a triumphant comeback three years after her withdrawal from events at the Tokyo Olympics. With this latest accolade, she equaled the record held by tennis legend Serena Williams.
“I’m so happy to be here in Madrid and to receive my fourth Laureus Award,” Biles said during her acceptance speech. “I won this award for the first time in 2017, and Laureus has been a part of my story since then. There might be a little girl watching someone like me on television and deciding she can do it, too.”
Mondo Duplantis, often regarded as one of the greatest pole vaulters of all time, received his first Laureus award, presented to him by last year’s winner, Novak Djokovic. After being nominated for the award for three consecutive years, Duplantis finally claimed the honor this time around. He won a second consecutive Olympic gold in Paris and broke his own world record for the ninth time, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.
“I am incredibly honoured to have won my first Laureus; this is the ultimate award that we athletes want to win,” Duplantis remarked, adding humorously, “I know because this is the fourth time I have been nominated – and that proves it’s harder to win a Laureus than an Olympic gold medal.”
The ceremony also recognized other outstanding athletes, with Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade awarded the Comeback of the Year for her inspirational return from career-threatening injuries to win gold in the floor competition at the Paris Games.
Teenage soccer prodigy Lamine Yamal, who played a crucial role in helping Spain win the European Championship, was named Breakthrough of the Year, making him the sixth footballer to receive this accolade.
The Laureus World Sports Awards, presented annually since 2000, are determined by the global media’s nominations and the votes of the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
List of Winners:
– World Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles
– World Sportsman of the Year:* Mondo Duplantis
– World Team of the Year:* Real Madrid
– World Breakthrough of the Year:* Lamine Yamal
– World Comeback of the Year:* Rebeca Andrade
– World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability:* Jiang Yuyan
– World Action Sportsperson of the Year:* Tom Pidcock
– Laureus Sport for Good:* Kick4Life
– Laureus Sporting Icon:* Rafael Nadal
– Laureus Lifetime Achievement:* Kelly Slater
