ACE - Association for Conferences and Events

Boris Johnson backs London as venue choice for 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards

The latest confirmation of sports celebrities attending the Laureus World Sports Awards include Paul Collingwood, Tim Henman, Denise Lewis and Sir Matthew Pinsent, the 4time gold medallist.

They will be joining a host of Laureus Academy Members, Ambassadors, Nominees and sporting greats at the event, including Boris Becker, Sir Bobby Charlton, Nadia Comaneci, Sean Fitzpatrick, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Dame Kelly Holmes, Edwin Moses, Martina Navratilova, Sir Steve Redgrave, Mark Spitz and Daley Thompson.

The Laureus Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement, are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar. The winners, as voted by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury made up of 47 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time, will be unveiled at a globally televised Awards Ceremony staged at Central Hall Westminster.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London said in a statement to the Laureus Foundation:

‘I am excited that the Laureus World Sports Awards and Laureus Sports for Good Foundation have decided to bring the Awards to London for 2012. Laureus and I share a commitment to making sports a positive part of everyone’s life regardless of age and ability. Celebrating the power of sports here in London with the world’s sporting superstars will provide the perfect start to our Olympic year and it marks the beginning of a real and long-lasting grassroots sports legacy for London and beyond’.

Paul Southern, Managing Director of Central Hall Westminster said:

‘This event will show how flexible Central Hall Westminster really is. The venue was built 100 years ago as a meeting and event centre - the high ceilings, clear sightlines and renaissance style add glamour to all occasions.”

Among the winners who have received Awards at previous Ceremonies have been Jenson Button, Roger Federer, Sir Alex Ferguson, Lewis Hamilton, Rafael Nadal, Michael Schumacher, Kelly Slater, Serena Williams and many others.’

Central Hall Westminster has been chosen to host this respected event for the venue’s central London location and remarkable event space including the 2,000 seat capacity Great Hall and over 25 breakout and meeting rooms.

The full list of nominees for the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards is:

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year

Usain Bolt (Jamaica) Athletics – two gold medals in World Athletics Championships in Daegu
Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Tennis – won Australian, Wimbledon and US Open Grand Slams    
Cadel Evans (Australia) Cycling – winner of the Tour de France
Lionel Messi (Argentina) Football – FC Barcelona’s star player, scored 53 goals in 2010/11 season
Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) Basketball – first European to be named MVP at NBA Finals
Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Motor Racing – won second straight F1 World Championship at 24

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year

Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya) Athletics – won World Championship 5k & 10K and cross-country title
Maria Höfl-Riesch (Germany) Alpine Skiing – beat Lindsey Vonn to win overall World Cup
Carmelita Jeter (US) Athletics – won 100m and 4 x 100m relay gold medals in World Championships
Petra Kvitova (Czech) Tennis – won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon, plus WTA Championship
Homare Sawa (Japan) Football – won Golden Ball and Golden Boot in FIFA World Cup
Yani Tseng (Taiwan) Golf – at 22, won two golf Majors and headed LPGA money list by over US$1m

Laureus World Team of the Year

All Blacks (N.Zealand) Rugby – won 2011 Rugby World Cup in their own country
FC Barcelona (Spain) Football – won Champions League and Spanish League in 2010/11
Dallas Mavericks (US) Basketball – won their first ever NBA Championship
England Cricket Team – became world No 1 after Ashes win in Australia and beating India 4-0
Japan Women’s Football Team – became first Asian team to win FIFA Women’s World Cup
Red Bull (Austria) Motor Racing – won second straight F1 Constructors World Championship

 
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year

Yohan Blake (Jamaica) Athletics – at 21, won 100m gold medal in World Championships
Mo Farah (UK) Athletics – winner of the 5,000 metres gold medal in the World Championships
Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) Tennis – at 21, won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon
Rory McIlroy (UK) Golf – at 22, won US Open, his first Major Championship
Li Na (China) Tennis – won French Open to become China’s first ever Grand Slam winner
Oscar Pistorius (SA) Athletics – first amputee to win track medal in non-disabled World Championships

 
Laureus World Comeback of the Year

Eric Abidal (France) Football – beat cancer to play in winning Barcelona Champions League team
Darren Clarke (UK) Golf – at 42, recovered from slump in form to win Open Championship
Crusaders (NZ) Rugby – despite Christchurch earthquake, Crusaders reached final of Super 15
Sergio Garcia (Spain) Golf – won two European Tour events, after three years without a victory
Liu Xiang (China) Athletics – after 2008 Olympic disappointment, won silver in World Championships
Queensland Reds (Australia) Rugby – won Super 15 rugby despite floods in Queensland

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability

Daniel Dias (Brazil) Swimming – won 11 gold medals in 11 events at Parapan Games
Terezinha Guilhermina (Brazil) Athletics – won 4 gold medals in IPC World Championships
Oscar Pistorius (SA) Athletics – first amputee to win track medal in non-disabled World Championships
Esther Vergeer (Netherlands) Wheelchair Tennis – unbeaten in singles for more than eight years
David Weir (UK) Wheelchair Athletics – won 3 gold medals in IPC World Championships
Irek Zaripov (Russia) Nordic Skiing – won 6 medals in IPC World Skiing Championships

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year

Jamie Bestwick (UK) BMX – came back from fractured skull to win 5th straight X Games gold
Philip Köster (Germany) Windsurfing – became PWA Wave World Champion at 17
Carissa Moore (US) Surfing – won her first World Surfing Championship at 19
Travis Rice (US) Snowboarding – takes on the world’s most intimidating descents
Kelly Slater (US) Surfing – won 11th World Surfing Championship at 39   
Shaun White (US) Skateboarding/Snowboarding – won Winter and Summer X Games gold