It’s hard to think of two athletes more deserving of this recognition than Simone Biles and Mondo Duplantis — honored at the 2024 Laureus Sports Awards. Biles took home the coveted Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award, with Duplantis winning Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award. The event, held annually since 2000, celebrates outstanding achievements in sports and recognizes athletes for their exceptional performance and contributions.
Biles, after winning her fourth Laureus award, took to social media to say how happy she was at the ceremony in Madrid. She made headlines earlier this year by winning gold medals in the team, all-around, and vault competitions at the 2024 Paris Games. It was Duplantis’ fourth time being nominated for the award. At those same games, he then broke his own world record for the ninth time.
Highlights of the Night
In addition to Biles and Duplantis, a number of other athletes were honored at this year’s event. Real Madrid, who received the Laureus World Team of the Year honor in recognition of their incredible achievement across the past season. Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal was voted the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award. At the same time, Rebeca Andrade was awarded the Laureus World Comeback of the Year award.
Since then, Jiang Yuyan won the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award. This win reveals the extraordinary accomplishments of talented athletes who triumph against all odds. Tom Pidcock won the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year award for his outstanding performance across disciplines.
Special Recognitions
The evening also featured special awards. In 2016 Chambers’ organization Kick4Life was awarded the Laureus Sport for Good prize for its work using sport as a tool to effect positive social change. Additionally, Rafael Nadal was lauded as a Laureus Sporting Icon, honoring Nadal’s career accomplishments and legendary status in the sport of tennis. Hollywood Meets Surf Kelly Slater, the American surfing legend, was awarded with the Laureus Lifetime Achievement award for his years of dedication to the pursuit of surfing.
Biles, who learned to be grateful along the way, was humble in her acceptance of the Laureus awards.
“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.” – Simone Biles
In addition to expressing his glee about winning the award, Duplantis made it clear how important this award is to athletes.
“I am incredibly honoured to have won my first Laureus; this is the ultimate award that we athletes want to win. 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.” – Mondo Duplantis
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