Kenya’s star athlete Faith Kipyegon swimmer Léon Marchand, Armand Duplantis of Sweden, USA’s Simone Biles, Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, Aitana Bonmatí, Lamine Yamal, Teresa Perales, Dutch F1 star Max Verstappen and Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar are among the nominees for the 2025 event in Madrid on Monday.

Yesterday on her X account, Kipyegon said: “I’m honoured to be nominated amongst these incredible women for the Laureus Sports woman of the year award. Each a true inspiration for all the girls around the world.”

Kipyegon became the first woman to win three successive 1500m Olympic golds in Paris, and set a new Olympic record in the final. She also defended her Diamond League title and broker her own 1500m world record in 2024.

On 21 April, for the second year running, the Spanish capital will host the Laureus Awards, known as the ‘Oscars of sport’, an event that brings together the best athletes of the past year. The Crystal Gallery of the Cibeles Palace will be the venue for this sports gala, where the best athletes and teams of 2024 will be honoured.

The awards will include The Laureus Statuette, presented to winners in seven elite categories, and the Laureus World Sports Academy Award, voted for by the 69 legends of sport at the Laureus World Sports Academy. In addition, the Laureus Sport for Good Award is presented to an individual or organisation that has made a significant impact in transforming the lives of children and young people through sport.

The nominees for the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards have been announced, setting the stage for a landmark edition celebrating the most outstanding athletic achievements of the past year. This year’s ceremony marks the 25th anniversary of the prestigious awards, which have become known as ‘The Athletes’ Awards,’ voted on by the 69 sporting legends of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

At last year’s ceremony, the Spanish women’s football team and star player Aitana Bonmati and tennis legend Novak Djokovic were among those honoured. Notably absent from this year’s list of nominees – selected by a panel of over 1,300 media representatives from around the world – was ATP world number one Jannik Sinner. The Italian was excluded by the Academy due to his ongoing three-month suspension for doping.

The 2024 sporting calendar was highlighted by the Paris Olympics, with multiple stars from the Games earning nominations. French swimmer Marchand, who won four Olympic golds, and pole vaulter Duplantis, who claimed a second Olympic title while breaking his own world record twice, are among those shortlisted for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award.

Tennis player Alcaraz, who won two Grand Slam titles and an Olympic silver medal, joins them alongside Formula One world champion Verstappen and cyclist Pogačar, who completed a historic triple crown by winning the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and the world championship.

Alcaraz, who previously won the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award, described his nomination as an “incredible honour,” reflecting on his Wimbledon triumph over Novak Djokovic and his admiration for past winners.

In the Sportswoman of the Year category, Spain’s Bonmatí is in contention to retain her title after winning a second Ballon d’Or and leading Barcelona to a treble-winning season. She faces competition from three-time Laureus winner Simone Biles, who secured multiple Olympic medals, including her second all-around gold. Also nominated are runners Sifan Hassan and Faith Kipyegon, hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and tennis world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Three Olympic champions are shortlisted for the Breakthrough of the Year Award, including Julien Alfred, who won St. Lucia’s first-ever gold medal, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, and swimmer Summer McIntosh. Footballers Lamine Yamal, Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga-winning team, and NBA star Victor Wembanyama are also in the running.

The Team of the Year category features a strong Spanish presence, with nominations for Barcelona Women’s Football Team, Real Madrid, and the Spain Men’s Football Team, who won Euro 2024.

The USA Men’s Basketball Team and the Boston Celtics, winners of a record 18th NBA title, are also contenders, along with McLaren, which ended a 26-year wait to win the Formula One Constructors’ Championship.

The Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability category includes Spain’s Teresa Perales, who secured her 28th Paralympic medal, and Chinese swimmer Jiang Yuyan, who won seven gold medals. Other nominees include para-archer Matt Stutzman, wheelchair tennis star Tokito Oda, athlete Catherine Debrunner, and para-badminton champion Qu Zimo.