Biles, Yamal, And Duplantis Scoop Laureus Awards As Real Madrid Wins Team Prize

‎Simone Biles, the world’s most decorated gymnast, was awarded Sportswoman of the Year at the Laureus awards ceremony in Madrid on Monday.

‎Meanwhile, Swedish pole-vaulter Mondo Duplantis took home the honor of Sportsman of the Year.

‎Biles, who secured gold medals in the team, all-around, and vault competitions, along with a silver in the floor exercise at the 2024 Paris Games, completed a triumphant comeback three years after her withdrawal from events at the Tokyo Olympics. This achievement earned her the Laureus Award for the fourth time.

‎That equaled the record held by tennis great and U.S. compatriot Serena Williams.

‎”I’m so happy to be here in Madrid and to receive my fourth Laureus Award,” Biles said.

‎”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.”

‎Last year’s winner, Novak Djokovic, handed Duplantis his first Laureus award after he was nominated in each of the last three years, becoming only the second track-and-field athlete to win it after Usain Bolt.

‎Considered one of the greatest pole vaulters in history, Duplantis secured his second consecutive Olympic gold medal in Paris, where he broke his world record for the ninth time.

‎He then shattered that record once more at the Silesia Diamond League meeting the following month.

‎”I am incredibly honored 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,” Duplantis joked.

‎Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade won the Comeback of the Year award after completing her inspirational return from career-threatening injuries at the Paris Games to win the gold medal in the floor competition.

‎Teenage footballing sensation Lamine Yamal, who helped Spain win the European Championship last year, won the Breakthrough of the Year, the sixth footballer to win that award.

‎The nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards are chosen by international media, while the winners are decided by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

‎These awards have been presented annually since 2000.

‎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