Mondo Duplantis and Simone Biles honoured at Laureus World Sports Awards 2025
Madrid took centre stage in the world of sport tonight as it hosted the 25th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards—an extraordinary evening that not only honoured the finest athletes of the past year, but also paid tribute to some of the greatest sporting icons of the 21st century.
Among the night’s distinguished winners were gymnastics champions and Olympic medallists Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade—both friends and fierce competitors whose excellence continues to inspire. Spanish football’s iconic rivalry was represented on the podium through accolades awarded to Real Madrid and Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal. Meanwhile, Olympic and Paralympic legends such as Mondo Duplantis, Tom Pidcock, and Jijang Yuan were also recognised with Laureus Awards, further solidifying their legacies.
In addition to the individual honours, this year’s event spotlighted the incredible work of Kick4Life, a Lesotho-based football initiative dedicated to social impact through sport, which received the 2025 Laureus Sport for Good Award.
A quarter of a century after the inaugural Laureus Awards in Monaco in 2000, this milestone celebration not only honoured athletic excellence but also reflected on the evolution of Laureus as a global movement—uniting its prestigious annual awards with the impactful, year-round initiatives of Laureus Sport for Good, now active in more than 40 countries worldwide.
The ceremony ignited a global wave of multimedia engagement, with athletes, media outlets, and fans across platforms celebrating the winners. Each honouree was presented with ‘The Laureus’, the iconic statuette regarded as one of the most coveted accolades in global sport—awarded through votes cast by the 69 legends of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
This year’s Academy also conferred two special honours: one to Rafael Nadal, 22-time Grand Slam champion, and the other to Kelly Slater, an 11-time world surfing champion—each recognised for their enduring impact and excellence in sport.
With the Olympic and Paralympic Games defining the sporting calendar of 2024, it was fitting that several Laureus winners were also Olympic champions, further underscoring the magnitude of this year’s honours.
Mondo Duplantis Crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
After three previous nominations, Mondo Duplantis—the greatest pole-vaulter in history—was finally honoured with the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. The Swedish phenom becomes only the second track-and-field athlete to receive this accolade, following four-time winner Usain Bolt.
At just 25 years old, Duplantis continues to redefine the limits of his discipline. In another extraordinary season, he claimed his second World Indoor Championship gold medal in March, then broke his own world record for a ninth time en route to Olympic gold in Paris. Remarkably, he surpassed his record once more at the Silesia Diamond League event the following month. Duplantis received the prestigious Laureus statuette from last year’s recipient, tennis legend Novak Djokovic.
Reflecting on the honour, Duplantis said:
“It is an immense honour to receive my first Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award here in the sporting capital of Madrid—and to be recognised by Usain Bolt, whom I now follow as the second track-and-field athlete to achieve this distinction.”
“The Laureus Awards are the pinnacle of recognition in sport. After being nominated four times, I can say with confidence it may be more difficult to win a Laureus than an Olympic gold medal!”
“Receiving this beautiful award from Novak Djokovic—a true icon—and joining the ranks of past winners like Novak, Usain, Rafael Nadal, and Lionel Messi is unforgettable. The roll call of Laureus recipients is a living chronicle of sporting greatness.”
“What sets the Laureus Awards apart is that they are decided by 69 of the most accomplished athletes in the world—members of the Laureus World Sports Academy. These are individuals who understand, intimately, the sacrifice and dedication required to reach the summit of sport. Their recognition is deeply meaningful.”
“Lastly, I want to highlight the vital work of Laureus Sport for Good. As the Awards celebrate their 25th anniversary, it’s important to reflect on the profound global impact this movement has had. I am incredibly proud to be associated with its legacy of change through sport.”
Simone Biles equals record with fourth Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award
Simone Biles delivered a spellbinding performance at the Paris Olympic Games, securing three gold medals and a silver, and was named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year for the fourth time. This achievement brings her level with fellow American tennis icon Serena Williams, with both also holding a Comeback of the Year Award.
Describing Paris as her “redemption tour” following a break from competition, Biles proved once again why she is the most decorated gymnast in history. Her breathtaking display marked the culmination of a journey that began with her triumphant return last year—an arc that perfectly embodies resilience and excellence.
Accepting her award in Madrid, Biles shared:
“I’m truly delighted to be in Madrid to receive my fourth Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.”
“I was first honoured with this Award in 2017, and Laureus has been part of my journey ever since. I deeply share its belief in the transformative power of sport. That power might lie in a young girl watching someone like me on TV and realising she, too, can achieve greatness—or in the far-reaching impact of Laureus Sport for Good, which has been changing lives around the globe for 25 years.”
“My sincere thanks go to the esteemed members of the Laureus World Sports Academy. Their insight, gained through their own elite sporting experiences, makes their recognition especially meaningful. They have inspired athletes like myself, and continue to shape the future of sport.”
“That is why the Laureus Awards are truly ‘The Athletes’ Awards.’ I’m proud and grateful to add another Laureus to my collection.”
REBECA ANDRADE
Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade completed her inspirational return from career-threatening injuries at the Paris Games, and she is this year’s recipient of the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award.
Andrade considered quitting the sport in the wake of a series of soul-crushing injuries – including three anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries – and agonising rehabilitations. Her long road back to the top was complete when she won gold in the floor competition – a moment memorialised forever by the image of her long-time rival Biles bowing to her as she stood at the top of the podium.
Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award winner, Rebeca Andrade, said:“This beautiful Laureus Statuette represents a huge amount of hard work, of struggle and pain, and also great happiness and one of my most cherished memories – standing on top of the Olympic podium again.
“In the 25-year history of these Awards that have become the ultimate prize for athletes, these stories of resilience have inspired generations of young people. Previous winners of the Comeback of the Year have included some of the greatest athletes of all time, from my fellow Brazilian, Ronaldo, to Simone last year.
“And just as our stories reach every corner of the world, we stand here alongside Laureus Sport for Good as they bring together projects from across the globe which use sport to improve the lives of children and young people.
“Individual sports can be isolating, but Paris showed that camaraderie can exist between competitors, and I was so proud to compete alongside last year’s winner of this Award, Simone Biles. Simone and I are the only two gymnasts to win a Laureus Award and I hope our stories can inspire anyone who has experienced injuries and setbacks to keep fighting through the many obstacles placed in front of them on the long road to recovery.”
TOM PIDCOCK
Tom Pidcock is the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year after winning the Olympic mountain bike cross country title in unforgettable fashion.
His hopes of defending the title he won in Tokyo appeared all but over after suffering a puncture, but after changing wheels, the British rider staged a stirring fightback to reel in leader and home favourite Victor Koretsky before pulling off a daring late overtake in trees to win gold against the odds.
Pidcock is the fourth British cyclist to win the Action Sportsperson of the Year Award, following Jamie Bestwick (2014), Rachel Atherton (2017) and Beth Shriver (2022).
JIANG YUYAN
Paralympic swimming superstar Jiang Yuyan collected the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award.
Yuyan was the most decorated athlete at the 2024 Paralympic Games, winning seven para swimming golds from seven events in the pool, matching the feat of Laureus Academy Member Mark Spitz. The 19-year-old also set two individual world records and was honoured as the flagbearer for the Chinese team at the closing ceremony. She is the seventh Chinese winner of a Laureus after Yao Ming (Breakthrough 2003, Spirit of Sport 2015), Liu Xiang (Breakthrough, 2005), China Olympic Team (Team, 2009), Li Na (Exceptional Achievement, 2015), Xia Boyu (Sporting Moment, 2019) and Eileen Gu (Action, 2023).
LAMINE YAMAL
Teen sensationLamine Yamal was the recipient of the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award after emerging as one of football’s global superstars.
As part of the Spain team which won Euro 2024, he became the youngest player to score in the European Championships as well as the youngest to feature in the final and was named Best Young Player of the tournament. He is only the second footballer to win this Award, after Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder who won it last year.
Bellingham did not go unrecognised tonight, either. Real Madrid are quite simply a winning machine and were honoured with the Laureus World Team of the Year Award after a season in which they won La Liga for a record 36th time, delivered a 15th UEFA Champions League/European Cup title, and defeated rivals Barcelona 4-1 in the Supercopa de España. The club continued to sweep aside all before them at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, winning both the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup, an achievement which saw Carlo Ancelotti become Madrid’s most decorated manager.
KICK4LIFE
For 25 years, the Laureus World Sports Awards have seen the greatest athletes in the world share the stage with Laureus Sport for Good programmes that fulfil the mission defined by the founding patron of Laureus at the first Awards: to use the power of sport to change the world. Kick4Life is one of over 300 Laureus Sport for Good projects all over the world making a difference in their communities, and they were presented with this year’s Laureus Sport for Good Award in Madrid. Kick4Life uses football to reach at-risk children in Lesotho, promoting health education, life-skills development, gender rights and employability. The inspirational organisation, which was also nominated for this Award in 2022, has reached more than 250,000 young people since it was founded in 2005.
Nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards are decided by the world’s media, and the winners are voted on by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy – the ultimate sporting jury. This year the Academy also included two discretionary Awards.
RAFAEL NADAL
Rafael Nadal received the Laureus Sporting Icon Award after a year in which he announced the end of one of the greatest careers in the history of professional tennis. A celebratory video package of his career was specially voiced by Morgan Freeman, who included his own tribute to the Spaniard. This year’s Awards expands on Nadal’s ‘Laureus Slam’ – he is the only athlete to have won the Sportsman of the Year Award, the Comeback of the Year, the Breakthrough of the Year and the Laureus Sport for Good Award.
Rafael Nadal,said:“The Laureus World Sports Awards are important to me. Back in 2006 I won the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award in Barcelona, in front of sporting heroes who had inspired millions of people around the world. Then last year – after twice being named Sportsman of the Year and also winning Comeback of the Year – my foundation was honoured to win the Laureus Sport for Good Award, here in Madrid.”
“My retirement from competitive tennis made 2024 an emotional year for me where there were some magical moments like the one in Paris carrying the Olympic torch. Tennis and sports in general has given me so much; my drive has always been to compete and try my best every time I stepped on court. Competitive tennis has stopped and it is time to reflect and to appreciate all the support I receive from everyone – my friends and family, my fans, my fellow athletes.
“A Sporting Icon? I think that is for other people to decide. But I hope that my career has inspired sports fans beyond tennis. I gave it everything I had. As athletes, we have a unique opportunity to use our influence and inspiration to make a positive impact on the world and as I move into my next chapter, I’m going to hold on to the ideals that I share with Laureus and work with them to achieve the most important thing an athlete can do – changing the world through sport.”
KELLY SLATER
And Kelly Slater, widely considered the greatest surfer of all time, received the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award. Slater is a four-time winner of the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award and an 11-time World Surf League champion.
The full list of Winners is:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award: Mondo Duplantis
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Simone Biles
Laureus World Team of the Year Award: Real Madrid
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Lamine Yamal
Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award: Rebeca Andrade
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Jiang Yuyan
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: Tom Pidcock
Laureus Sport for Good Award: Kick4Life
Laureus Sporting Icon Award: Rafael Nadal
Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Kelly Slater
