The Laureus World Sports Awards, frequently referred to as the sporting equivalent of the ‘Oscars’, the 2024 award ceremony took place at the Palacio de Cibeles in the Spanish capital on Monday.
Who won the top honour?
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic captured the top men’s honour, World Sportsman of the Year for a record-equalling fifth time after 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2019.
While Spain’s World Cup-winning midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named the Sportswoman of the Year and also won team awards.
What did Djokovic say?
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady presented the award to Djokovic.
He expressed gratitude and said, “I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. I think back to 2012 when I won it for the first time as a 24-year-old. I am very proud to be here 12 years later, reflecting on a year that brought me and my fans a lot of excitement and success.”
Djokovic, 36, won three Grand Slams last year, including the ATP Finals, and recently was ranked the oldest No. 1. He equalled his former rival Roger Federer’s tally at the prestigious ceremony in Madrid for record 24-time Grand Slam champion.
What did Aitana Bonmati say?
Usain Bolt, the greatest sprinter of all time, presented the Sportswoman of the Year Award to Bonmati. She is the first woman footballer to do so. 
Bonmati said: “I am honoured to receive the Laureus for Sportswoman of the Year, and I am also very happy that my international team-mates have been recognised as the Team of the Year by the Laureus World Sports Academy”.
Additionally, she was also rewarded along with her Spain teammates for winning the Women’s World Cup last summer. “Our national team is a group like no other. Our strength comes from every challenge we have faced, both on and off the field of play,” said Bonmati. 
The team was praised for fighting sexism in the Spanish football federation.
Some other title holders include
Arisa Trew, a 14-year-old Australian skateboarder, won the World Action Sportsperson of the Year award.
Tennis star Rafael Nadal’s foundation to help youngsters in Spain and India won the Sport for Good award.
The Dutch wheelchair tennis player Diede de Groot won the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award.
England international Jude Bellingham won the World Breakthrough Award.
The global media selects the nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards, and the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy determine the winners. The awards have been presented annually since 2000.
