Two-time Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon has been selected among the 2024 nominees for the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award, standing alongside other esteemed sports personalities.
Kipyegon is joined by other nominees such as Mikaela Shiffrin, who broke the Alpine Skiing World Cup record for race victories in 2023, as well as football World Cup winner Aitana Bonmatí.
This recognition not only highlights her exceptional prowess but also brings attention to the prestigious nature of the Laureus World Sports Awards.
Following her nomination, The Kenya Times compiled things you may want to know about the awards spanning from past winners and the history of the awards.
History of the Awards
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which is responsible for the awards, was established in 1998 to do charity by a partnership of the founding patrons Richemont and Daimler.
It is supported by its global partners Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mercedes-Benz, and IWC Schaffhausen.
The awards support the work of Laureus Sport for Good, which supports over 160 community projects in more than 40 countries worldwide.
These programs aim to use the power of sport to end discrimination, and disadvantage, and prove that sport has the power to change the world.
Often likened to the Oscars for movies, the organization launched the Laureus World Sports Awards through a first event in 2000, to mark a celebration of individual and team accomplishments in the realm of sports globally.
Former South African president and Patron Nelson Mandela was part of the attendees for the inaugural ceremony in which he delivered a keynote speech.
Faith Kipyegon Nominated for Sportswoman of the Year Award
On the other hand, the Sportswoman of the Year category honors the achievements of individual women from the world of sports.
It was first awarded in the same inaugural year of the awards as one of the seven constituent awards presented.
Over the years, the Laureus Awards have seen remarkable winners and noteworthy achievements.
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From American sprinter Marion Jones, the inaugural Sportswoman of the Year, to Japanese tennis sensation Naomi Osaka, each recipient embodies excellence in their respective fields.
Kenyan athletes have left an indelible mark, with luminaries like Vivian Cheruiyot elevating the nation’s sporting profile by winning the 2012 award.
Serena Williams holds the record for most awards held by a female with five, four for Sportswoman of the Year and one for Comeback of the Year.
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer holds the record for the most awards with six, five for Sportsman of the Year and one for Comeback of the Year.
Ceremony and Significance
The Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony is a global spectacle, held in various cities worldwide and broadcasted across over 160 countries.
The annual ceremonies are held in various locations around the world. As of 2020, the ceremonies have been held in eleven different cities.
It symbolizes the pinnacle of sporting achievement, with each winner receiving the iconic Laureus statuette—a testament to their dedication and success in their chosen discipline.
The 30-centimeter Cartier Laureus statuette features a “representation of the striving human form” and weighs approximately 2.5 kilograms, with 670 grams of solid silver and a 650-gram gold-finish base.
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As of 2020, awards are made annually in eight categories, with several discretionary categories irregularly recognized.
The 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards promises to be another unforgettable event, with luminaries such as Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic, Simone Biles, and Mikaela Shiffrin among the esteemed nominees.
Following the announcement of the nominations, the countdown to the awards ceremony set for April 22 in Madrid begins.
Nonetheless, Faith Kipyegon’s nomination underscores her exceptional contributions to athletics, standing alongside other illustrious figures in the sporting world.
Kipyegon was also among Kenyans announced as winners at the World Athletics’ World Athlete of the Year 2023.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming ceremony in Madrid, Spain, Faith Kipyegon’s nomination serves as a testament to her remarkable journey and enduring legacy in athletics.
