Laureus Sports Awards 2012

LONDON, 6 February 2012

The winners of the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards were unveiled at a globally televised Awards Ceremony in London. Among the highlights were a record-equalling fourth Laureus Award for US surfer Kelly Slater and a double success for Northern Ireland golf with both Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy being honoured. FC Barcelona at last won the Laureus Team of the Year Award after their fourth Nomination.

The Laureus World Sports Awards are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar. The winners are chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 47 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time.

South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius (pictured below), dubbed the ‘Blade Runner’ because he uses carbon fibre blades, was presented with the Laureus Disability Award, after becoming the first amputee to win a track medal in the non-disabled World Championships, a silver in the 4 x 400 metres relay.

Oscar Pistorius

Nominees for the Laureus Disability Award included 2 times winner Esther Vergeer (NED) Wheelchair Tennis, David Weir (GBR) Wheelchair Racing, Daniel Dias (BRA) Swimming, Terezinha Guilhermina (BRA) Athletics and Irek Zaripov (RUS) Sking.

Television presenter/olympian Ade Adepitan was also at the event.

Esther Vergeer (NED)		Ade Adepitan