Pole Vault star Mondo Duplantis became the second track and field athlete to win the prestigious Laureus Sportsman of the Year award after a record-breaking 2024. This also ended a long wait for Duplantis, who was nominated in the last three years before finally winning the award this time around. Duplantis beat off competition from Carlos Alcaraz, Leon Marchand and Tadej Pogacar and Max Verstappen to bag the top honour.
2024 was a great year for Duplantis as he started things off by winning his second World Indoor Championship gold medal in March, before breaking his own world record for a ninth time on his way to the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. He went on to break the world record once again at the Silesia Diamond League meeting. Speaking about his win, the 25-year-old said he was honoured to win the award finally on his fourth attempt.
“I am incredibly honoured to have won my first Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in the sporting capital of Madrid and to have the great Usain Bolt pay tribute to me, who I follow as the second track and field athlete to win this Award.”
“The Laureus Awards are the ultimate awards that we athletes want to win. I know because this is the fourth time I have been nominated – and that proves it’s harder to win a Laureus than an Olympic gold medal!” said Duplantis.
Duplantis received the award from Novak Djokovic and said he would never forget the moment.
“I’ll never forget receiving this beautiful Laureus from the great Novak Djokovic – I’m following in the footsteps of giants like Novak, Usain, Rafael Nadal and Lionel Messi. The list of past winners of this Award is like a history of sporting greatness over the past 25 years,” said Duplantis.
Apart from Duplantis, Simone Biles won the Sportswoman of the year award. Real Madrid won the World Team Of The Year award whole Lamine Yamal got the Breakthrough of the Year award.
Full list of Winners:
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
