Usain Bolt, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps score win at 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards
The 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards recognized the best in the business on Tuesday in Monaco, awarding huge honors to track star Usain Bolt, swimming great, Michael Phelps, and petite powerhouse gymnast Simone Biles.
The award show, held at the Salle des Etoiles, Sporting Monte Carlo, was a well-attended event with legends of sport showing up to fete the winners.
Track stars Michael Johnson, Tegla Loroupe, Edwin Moses, tennis star Boris Becker, gymnast Nadia Comaneci, swimmer Missy Franklin, soccer standouts Luis Figo, Cafu, Carlos Pujol and Jens Lehmann, and more big names attended the event, which was hosted by actor Hugh Grant.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Charlene, Princess of Monaco, also attended the event and welcomed the crowd to their country and took time to recognize many of the best moments in sports.
It was an especially emotional night for Michael Phelps, who reflected on his swimming career and incredible year of both swimming and marriage and fatherhood. Upon accepting his award for Laureus World Comeback of the Year, Phelps told the crowd: "I was searching for pure happiness...I found it."
Laureus Academy Member @TheBorisBecker presents @MichaelPhelps with the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award! #Laureus17pic.twitter.com/wZV8xmnMjm
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 14, 2017
Check out all the winners below:
The Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Usain Bolt (track and field, Jamaica)
The Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles (gymnastics, US)
The Laureus WorldTeam of the Year: TheChicago Cubs
The Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Michael Phelps (swimming, US)
The Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Nico Rosberg (Formula 1)
The Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Beatrice Vio (fencing, Italy)
The Laureus WorldSport for Good Award: for Sporting Inspiration: The Refugee Olympic Team
The Laureus World Best Sporting Moment: Barcelona Under-12 team
The Laureus Sport for Good Award: Waves for Change
The Laureus Sport Spirit of Sport Award: Leicester City (Soccer)
The Laureus Sport Action Sportsperson of the Year: Rachel Atherton (BMX)
