The stars were out in full force in Madrid as the 25th anniversary of the Laureus World Sports Awards celebrated some of the world’s most remarkable athletes—and the inspiring power of sport. Leading the charge were U.S. gymnastics icon Simone Biles and Swedish pole vault sensation Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, both of whom walked away with top honors on a night full of unforgettable moments.

Simone Biles cemented her legacy once again, taking home her fourth Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award—matching Serena Williams’ all-time record. This latest honor follows a triumphant return to the Olympic stage last summer, where Biles added three golds and a silver to her growing collection.

“I won this Award for the first time in 2017,” Biles said during her acceptance speech. “Laureus has been part of my journey ever since. I truly believe sport can change the world—whether it’s inspiring a little girl watching from home, or supporting communities through programs like Laureus Sport for Good.”

On the men’s side, Armand Duplantis etched his name alongside legends like Usain Bolt, becoming only the second track-and-field athlete to win the Sportsman of the Year Award. The 25-year-old pole vault prodigy captured his second Olympic gold in Paris after breaking his own world record, becoming the first male pole vaulter to win back-to-back Olympic titles since Bob Richards in 1956.

“It’s harder to win a Laureus than Olympic gold—this was my fourth nomination!” Duplantis joked. “To be in the same sentence as Novak, Nadal, Messi, and Bolt—these are the icons we look up to.”

One of the most emotional moments of the night came as Rebeca Andrade received the Comeback of the Year Award. The Brazilian gymnast nearly quit the sport after suffering three ACL tears in four years. But in Paris, she returned stronger than ever—snagging a gold, two silvers, and a bronze, becoming Brazil’s most decorated Olympian.

A touching photo from the Games showed Biles and teammate Jordan Chiles bowing down to Andrade on the podium—a viral moment celebrating mutual respect and resilience.

“This award isn’t just about me—it’s about every athlete who’s battled injury and thought about giving up,” Andrade said. “I’m honored to stand with Simone as one of only two gymnasts to win a Laureus Award.”

The Breakthrough of the Year Award went to Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teen sensation who made headlines across Europe. The 16-year-old became the youngest player and goalscorer in European Championship history, then made more history just one day after his 17th birthday—becoming the youngest to appear in a Euros final.

Beyond the podiums and medals, the Laureus Awards spotlight those using sport to create lasting impact. This year’s Sport for Good Award went to Kick4Life, a nonprofit that’s been using football to uplift at-risk youth in Lesotho since 2005.

Other honorees included Jiang Yuyan (Sportsperson with a Disability), Tom Pidcock (Action Sportsperson), tennis legend Rafael Nadal (Sporting Icon), and surfing legend Kelly Slater (Lifetime Achievement).

Full List of 2024 Laureus Award Winners:

• Sportsman of the Year: Mondo Duplantis
• Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles
• Team of the Year: Real Madrid
• Breakthrough of the Year: Lamine Yamal
• Comeback of the Year: Rebeca Andrade
• Sportsperson with a Disability: Jiang Yuyan
• Action Sportsperson of the Year: Tom Pidcock
• Sport for Good Award: Kick4Life
• Sporting Icon Award: Rafael Nadal
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Kelly Slater

Source: CNN – Simone Biles, Mondo Duplantis win big at 25th Anniversary Laureus World Sports Awards

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BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Travis Hunter, the Colorado Buffaloes’ dynamic two-way standout, has been named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year. Hunter earned 26 of 43 votes from AP Top 25 voters, edging out Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who garnered 16 votes, and Arizona State’s Cameron Skattebo, who received one vote.

A rare talent in college football, Hunter excels both as a wide receiver and a cornerback, rarely leaving the field and making game-changing plays in both roles. Known for his electrifying performances, Hunter also keeps fans entertained with creative touchdown and interception celebrations, including a signature Heisman Trophy pose.

Reflecting on his success, Hunter credited his team, saying, “I couldn’t do what I do without my team. So I view being up for these awards as team awards.”

Hunter’s remarkable versatility reminds fans of legendary players like Charles Woodson at Michigan, Champ Bailey at Georgia, and his coach, Deion Sanders, who also thrived in both offensive and defensive roles during his NFL career. Hunter’s decision to join Coach Prime, first at Jackson State and now at Colorado, was driven by his desire to play both sides of the ball—an opportunity only Sanders offered.

“I’m motivated when people tell me I can’t do something,” Hunter shared. “That I can’t dominate on both sides of the ball. I want to be an example for others that anything is possible. Keep pursuing your dreams.”

This season, Hunter helped Colorado finish with a 9-3 record, securing a spot in the Alamo Bowl against BYU on December 28. Over the course of the season, he played 688 defensive snaps and 672 offensive snaps, making him the only player in the Power Five conferences with over 30 snaps on both sides of the ball.

Hunter’s achievements don’t end with the AP Player of the Year award. He also won his second consecutive Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college football. He is also in the running for several prestigious awards, including the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Award, Biletnikoff Award (best receiver), and Bednarik Award (top defensive player). Additionally, Hunter is the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, which he could bring home this weekend, becoming only the second Colorado player to win the award after Rashaan Salaam’s victory in 1994.

Despite his stellar season, Hunter wasn’t a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back, a decision that upset Coach Sanders, who vowed to give his own 1988 Thorpe Award to Hunter.

Hunter’s high school coach, Lenny Gregory, recognized his exceptional talent as early as Hunter’s freshman year. Gregory recalls telling college recruiters that Hunter would one day be the top player in the country. “They’d laugh at me, saying ‘What are you talking about? This scrawny kid?’ I told them, ‘Just watch. Just watch.’”

This season, Hunter finished with 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. On defense, he recorded four interceptions, broke up 11 passes, and forced one fumble that helped secure a dramatic overtime win over Baylor. Hunter was targeted 119 times by his own quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, but only 39 times by opposing quarterbacks, showcasing his dominance on both sides of the ball.

Hunter’s likely final game in Boulder, a commanding victory over Oklahoma State, included three touchdowns and one interception, a performance that left fans and teammates in awe.

“I’m used to seeing him do all this spectacular stuff,” said Shedeur Sanders. “You all are just now seeing it on a national stage.”

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