Mark Hutchinson / 19 October 2024 / Categories: Opinions, Bodies & Groups

Laureus Sport For Good

Lots going on behind the scenes

I was lucky to work in Formula 1 for a time and Suzy is a big tennis groupie so by default I had a bit to do with Laureus.

Aside from being a massive charity who over 20 years have managed to develop Grant partnerships with the biggest names in sport to channel some of the wealth back into programs around the world with sport at the centre.

Each year the Laureus Sport calendar finishes with a glittering night, this year in Madrid where you can expect to see the glitterati of professional sport.

In 2024 in the swanky ceremony in the Spanish capital tennis player Novak Djokovic, wearing Brunello Cucinelli I am reliably informed, picked up his 5th sportsman of the year making him almost the most decorated sports man in the events 20 year history. Roger Federer has won 6 times.

The Laureus sportswoman of the year went to soccer player Aitana Bonimati.

It is the first time a footballer has been recognised. Since 2017 she has played more than 50 times for Spain, including featuring in Spain's World Cup squad in 2019 as well as 2023.

In 2023 Suzy’s man, I am not threatened much, Carlos Alvarez won best breakthrough and not surprisingly after the year he had winning Wimbledon and the French open Roland Garros but it was the UK’s Jude Bellingham, number 5 for Real Madrid # 10 for England and widely considered one of the best players in the world today took the award this year.

This event is perfect for couple, she gets the glamour of the academy awards and he gets sport on repeat.

And lots of money is raised for charity.

The first ceremony held 25 May 2000 in Monte Carlo, where at the time South African president Nelson Mandela gave the keynote speech. As of 2020, awards are made annually in eight categories, with a number of discretionary categories irregularly recognised. The recipient of each award is presented with a Laureus statuette, created by Cartier, at an annual ceremony held in various locations around the world. The ceremony has been held in 11 different cities around the world.

Over the last 20 years Laureus Sport has raised over €150 million.

Image credit, Carlos Alcaraz in Louis Vuitton