News & Media
8th February 2012
VIP Celebrities at Central Hall Westminster event
- Novak Djokovic acclaimed Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
- Vivian Cheruiyot honoured Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award
- Laureus World Sports Awards held at Central Hall Westminster, February 6
- View images of the night www.c-h-w.com
(Central Hall Westminster, red carpet entrance)
(top: Stageset Great Hall; bottom: winner Djokovic/ guest)
Central Hall Westminster, February 7, 2012 – The Laureus World Sports Awards have been hitting headlines over the past weekend in London. The prestigious Awards Ceremony, hosted by British Hollywood actor Clive Owen, took place at Central Hall Westminster yesterday, the 6th February. The event is globally televised and pulled in the biggest names from World and Olympic Sport.
The glittering ceremony was staged in the Great Hall of the 2,000 plus capacity auditorium at Central Hall Westminster. Built as an events centre 100 years ago, the venue combines a stunning historic backdrop with modern day flexibility for stage productions. The large dome ceiling, tiered balcony seating surrounding the versatile stall area and stage platform, provided an incredible atmosphere for the night.
This night undoubtedly belonged to Novak Djokovic who received the top prize of ‘World Sportsman of the Year’, just days after he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final of the Australian Open. The 24-year-old from Belgrade finished his 2011 season with 70 wins and just six loses.
The title ‘World Sportswoman of the Year’ went to the 28-year-old Vivian Cheruiyot from Keiyo District for her double victory over 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the 2011 World Athletics Championship in Daegu.
There was a touching moment in the ceremony as the legendary Manchester United and England footballer Sir Bobby Charlton was awarded with the ‘Laureus Lifetime Achievement’ in recognition of his remarkable career. He was not able to receive the prize himself but the date coincides with the 54th anniversary since the Munich Air-Disaster.
The ‘Team of the Year’ trophy went to Barcelona FC, the ‘Comeback of the Year’ trophy went to Northern Irish golfer Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy, another golfer, picked up the ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ award. The four-time Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius was honoured with the ‘Laureus Disability Award’ and finally the ‘World Action Sportsperson of the Year’ trophy went to American surfer Kelly Slater.
The logistical preparations for the event began one week ago and resulted in a stunning stage set and included an outdoor marquee, complete with glass roof. Road closures and an incredible security presence ensured all high profile guests were able to enjoy a great night at both the pre event reception in the Library and Lecture Hall, and the ceremony in the Great Hall.
Laureus 2012, said: ’’Truly a venue for all occasions, we are honoured to stage the Laureus World Sports Awards 2012 at this prestigious and important building.’’
Paul Southern, Managing Director of Central Hall Westminster added: ‘’I am proud that Central Hall Westminster was associated with the Laureus World Sports Awards. It was very humbling to see so many World Champions and Olympic medal winners in one room to support such a good cause. The event itself was a monumental success and I am pleased that we were able to show that we have such a flexible, World Class venue to deliver this event.”
The 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement, 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. The living legends of sport honouring the great athletes of today.
Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports 91 community sports projects in 34 countries around the world, including five in London. Since its inception, Laureus has raised €40 million for projects which have improved the lives of more than one-and-a-half million young people.
(Sportsman of the Year - Novak Djokovic, tennis)
(Sportwoman of the Year - Vvivian Cheruiyot, runner)
VIDEO FOOTAGE SOON AVAILABLE ON www.c-h-w.com >>>
The full list of nominees for the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards were:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
Usain Bolt (Jamaica) Athletics – two gold medals in World Athletics Championships in Daegu
Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Tennis – won Australian, Wimbledon and US Open Grand Slams
Cadel Evans (Australia) Cycling – winner of the Tour de France
Lionel Messi (Argentina) Football – FC Barcelona’s star player, scored 53 goals in 2010/11 season
Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) Basketball – first European to be named MVP at NBA Finals
Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Motor Racing – won second straight F1 World Championship at 24
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year
Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya) Athletics – won World Championship 5k & 10K and cross-country title
Maria Höfl-Riesch (Germany) Alpine Skiing – beat Lindsey Vonn to win overall World Cup
Carmelita Jeter (US) Athletics – won 100m and 4 x 100m relay gold medals in World Championships
Petra Kvitova (Czech) Tennis – won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon, plus WTA Championship
Homare Sawa (Japan) Football – won Golden Ball and Golden Boot in FIFA World Cup
Yani Tseng (Taiwan) Golf – at 22, won two golf Majors and headed LPGA money list by over US$1m
Laureus World Team of the Year
All Blacks (N.Zealand) Rugby – won 2011 Rugby World Cup in their own country
FC Barcelona (Spain) Football – won Champions League and Spanish League in 2010/11
Dallas Mavericks (US) Basketball – won their first ever NBA Championship
England Cricket Team – became world No 1 after Ashes win in Australia and beating India 4-0
Japan Women’s Football Team – became first Asian team to win FIFA Women’s World Cup
Red Bull (Austria) Motor Racing – won second straight F1 Constructors World Championship
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year
Yohan Blake (Jamaica) Athletics – at 21, won 100m gold medal in World Championships
Mo Farah (UK) Athletics – winner of the 5,000 metres gold medal in the World Championships
Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) Tennis – at 21, won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon
Rory McIlroy (UK) Golf – at 22, won US Open, his first Major Championship
Li Na (China) Tennis – won French Open to become China’s first ever Grand Slam winner
Oscar Pistorius (SA) Athletics – first amputee to win track medal in non-disabled World championships
Laureus World Comeback of the Year
Eric Abidal (France) Football – beat cancer to play in winning Barcelona Champions League team
Darren Clarke (UK) Golf – at 42, recovered from slump in form to win Open Championship
Crusaders (NZ) Rugby – despite Christchurch earthquake, Crusaders reached final of Super 15
Sergio Garcia (Spain) Golf – won two European Tour events, after three years without a victory
Liu Xiang (China) Athletics – after 2008 Olympic disappointment, won silver in World Championships
Queensland Reds (Australia) Rugby – won Super 15 rugby despite floods in Queensland
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
Daniel Dias (Brazil) Swimming – won 11 gold medals in 11 events at Parapan Games
Terezinha Guilhermina (Brazil) Athletics – won 4 gold medals in IPC World Championships
Oscar Pistorius (SA) Athletics – first amputee to win track medal in non-disabled World Championships
Esther Vergeer (Netherlands) Wheelchair Tennis – unbeaten in singles for more than eight years
David Weir (UK) Wheelchair Athletics – won 3 gold medals in IPC World Championships
Irek Zaripov (Russia) Nordic Skiing – won 6 medals in IPC World Skiing Championships
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year
Jamie Bestwick (UK) BMX – came back from fractured skull to win 5th straight X Games gold
Philip Köster (Germany) Windsurfing – became PWA Wave World Champion at 17
Carissa Moore (US) Surfing – won her first World Surfing Championship at 19
Travis Rice (US) Snowboarding – takes on the world’s most intimidating descents
Kelly Slater (US) Surfing – won 11th World Surfing Championship at 39
Shaun White (US) Skateboarding/Snowboarding – won Winter and Summer X Games gold
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