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Mike HornMan on a Mission

Mesut Özilassists tHe neXt Generation

refuGee olyMpic swiMMer Makes a splasH in rio

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LAUREUS AcAdEmy

mESSAgE fRom thE chAiRmAn

mESUt ÖziL ASSiSting thE nExt gEnERAtion

A SpoRting cELEbRAtion in bERLinLAUREUS WoRLd SpoRtS AWARdS 2016

LEAding LAdiESSpoRt foR good WinnER - moving thE goALpoStS

mAn on A miSSionmikE hoRn’S poLo2poLE ExpEdition

LAUREUS fAmiLy REUnitES in gERmAnySpoRt foR good SUmmit 2016

gLobAL pARtnERS nEWShighLightS fRom thE yEAR

nEW on boARdLAUREUS AcAdEmy mEmbERS

LEnnox LEWiSStEpS into Action

my LAUREUSby michAEL JohnSon

fLying thE fLAg of hopEyUSRA mARdini fRom thE oLympic REfUgEE tEAm

pAy it foRWARdSky hyAcinthE hELpS ELEvAtE yoUng pEopLE toWARdS A bRightER fUtURE

AdRiAnA LimA A ShAREd pASSion

LAUREUS AmbASSAdoRS

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laureus acadeMy MeMber Mike Horn aiMs to becoMe tHe first person to circuMnaviGate tHe Globe, nortH pole to soutH pole, in a sinGle-year eXpedition.

brinG our new interactive paGes to life by:

1. Downloading the free ‘Layar’ app

2. Scanning the page whenever you see this symbol

scan tHis paGe

EditorRAShA kAWALit

dEsignEr & Production managEr

SARAh WEi

contEnt WritErsRogER kELLy

iAin cLARk

laureus acadeMygiacomo Agostini Motorcycling

marcus Allen American Football

franz beckenbauer Football

boris becker Tennis

ian botham Cricket

Sergey bubka Athletics

cafu Football

fabian cancellara Cycling

bobby charlton Football

Sebastian coe Athletics

nadia comaneci Gymnastics

deng yaping Table Tennis

Alessandro del piero Football

marcel desailly Football

kapil dev Cricket

mick doohan Motorcycling

david douillet Judo

Rahul dravid Cricket

morné du plessis Rugby Union

Luís figo Football

Emerson fittipaldi Motor Racing

Sean fitzpatrick (Chairperson) Rugby Union

dawn fraser Swimming

cathy freeman Athletics

tanni grey-thompson Paralympic Athletics

marvelous marvin hagler Boxing

mika häkkinen Motor Racing

tony hawk Skateboarding

maria höfl-Riesch Alpine Skiing

mike horn Adventurer

miguel indurain Cycling

michael Johnson Athletics

kip keino Athletics

franz klammer Alpine Skiing

Lennox Lewis Boxing

Li xiaopeng Gymnastics

Li na Tennis

tegla Loroupe Athletics

dan marino American Football

Edwin moses Athletics

nawal El moutawakel Athletics

Robby naish Windsurfing/Kiteboarding

ilie nastase Tennis

martina navratilova Tennis

Alexey nemov Gymnastics

Jack nicklaus Golf

brian o’driscoll Rugby Union

gary player Golf

hugo porta Rugby Union

carles puyol Football

Raúl Football

Steve Redgrave Rowing

vivian Richards Cricket

monica Seles Tennis

mark Spitz Swimming

Sachin tendulkar Cricket

daley thompson Athletics

Alberto tomba Alpine Skiing

Steve Waugh Cricket

katarina Witt Figure Skating

yang yang Speed Skating

yao ming Basketball

It is a massive honour to be Chairman of the Laureus World

Sports Academy. It’s like being captain of the greatest team

of sportsmen and sportswomen ever put together.

Over the last few months, we have welcomed a record

number of new Academy Members to the Laureus Family,

all giants of their own sports, who are now making their

own personal commitment to help young people around

the world through the work of Laureus Sport for Good.

What a football team we could pick with Cafu, Alessandro

Del Piero, Luís Figo, Carles Puyol and Raúl. And they are

joined in the Laureus Academy by the great skier Maria Hö-

fl-Riesch, tennis legend Li Na, rugby’s Brian O’Driscoll and

boxer Lennox Lewis.

One of my recent highlights was attending the recent Lau-

reus Sport for Good Summit in Germany. Hearing inspira-

tional stories from our project leaders encouraged all of us

to ramp up even further our efforts to transform the lives of

young people through sport.

There are now 62 Laureus Academy Members, supported

by more than 180 Laureus Ambassadors, and in this latest

edition of the Laureus Magazine you can read about what

they have all signed up for. You will see how Laureus Sport

for Good now reaches 35 countries and has supported

more than 150 community projects and embraced millions

of young people since it was created in 2000.

None of this would be possible without the selfless work of

our project leaders and volunteers around the world and

without the support of our Founding Patrons, Richemont

and Daimler, and Global Partners, Mercedes-Benz and IWC

Schaffhausen.

I thank them all most sincerely for their generosity and their

sense of dedication to this wonderful cause.

MessaGe froMtHe cHairMan

sean fitzpatrick

CHAIRMAN

LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS ACADEMY4 5

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He’s known for his pinpoint passing and incredible vision

on the football pitch, traits which have earned him the title

of ‘assist king’, but earlier this year Arsenal and Germany

star Mesut Özil pledged to assist young people who need it

most off the pitch. The former Real Madrid midfield magi-

cian was announced as a Laureus Sport for Good Ambas-

sador just days ahead of the start of the European Cham-

pionships in France.

Joining youngsters from the Laureus-supported KICK-

FORMORE project in Stuttgart, Özil was reminded of his

youth. Growing up in Gelsenkirchen, he spent hours upon

hours playing in small-sided street football matches, mak-

ing friends and developing his skills as a footballer. “I have

some great memories in the past during tournaments in

Gelsenkirchen,” said Özil. “Watching them play now makes

me want to join them, but the most important thing is that

the kids are having fun and enjoying it.”

At KICKFORMORE, youngsters are encouraged to have fun

and enjoy their time playing football, but also to show re-

spect to their peers. Before each match, the players decide

on three rules, with a focus on fair play and respect. The

matches are not refereed but watched by a fellow partici-

pant, who notes goals but most importantly makes note of

acts of fair play.

The project participants all hail from different countries and

cultures, but the structure of the project and playing foot-

ball brings them together. Barriers are broken down with

every goal scored. “There are children here from several

different cultural backgrounds, but it’s obvious that they

are all united among nations and that it works out well.

Most importantly, they are very respectful with each other,

which is very much the same like in the German national

team,” said Özil.

Özil is no stranger to giving back to charitable causes. Fol-

lowing Germany’s World Cup victory in Brazil in 2014, Özil

donated £350,000 to the ‘BigShoe’ organisation, which al-

lowed surgery to be carried out on 23 children, primarily

suffering from cleft lips and palates, in the city of Coroatá.

Ahead of the 2016 European Football Championships, Özil

announced he would financially support further operations

for young people in Africa. “I support projects with kids for

years now already, because, as I already said in the past,

children are our future,” said Özil. “I am proud to be able to

help a lot of kids, thanks to the great opportunities my job

is offering me.”

After his session with the youngsters, Özil said: “I think it’s

amazing that Laureus helps children, which is why I am

happy to be part of the team.” You sense that he takes as

much pride in helping young people improve their lives off

the pitch as he does in helping teammates score goals and

win matches on it.

“i tHink it’s aMazinG tHat laureus Helps cHildren, wHicH is wHy i aM Happy to be part of tHe teaM.”Mesut Özil laureus aMbassador

assistinG tHe neXt Generation

laureus aMbassador Mesut Özil visits kickforMore project in stuttGart 6

a sportinG celebration in berlin

“i’M so HuMbled and Honoured to stand Here and receive sucH a prestiGious recoGnition. sport Has inspired Me and all of us in so Many ways, and it Has tHe power to reacH tHe Most reMote places in tHe world and to reacH cHildren around tHe world to Give tHeM Hope and a HiGHer purpose in life.”novak djokoviclaureus world sportsMan of tHe year 2016

8 9

laureus world sports awards 2016

scan tHis paGe

The Laureus Academy gave a special Award to celebrate

the life of Johan Cruyff. It was presented to son Jordi Cruyff

by another Dutch football legend, Laureus Ambassador

Ruud Gullit.

Ruud said: “I want to thank Johan for being an inspiration

and putting Holland on the map. He made me the football

player that I became. Thank you, Johan, for everything you

did for Holland and for me. As a player he was 20 years

ahead in the things he did.”

Jordi Cruyff, his voice cracking with emotion, said: “The re-

action around the world to the death of my father has been

amazing. On behalf of the family I would like to thank the

Academy for this amazing tribute. As a son, I can only say I

am so proud of who he was and what he did.”

It had been planned that Johan Cruyff should have received

the Award in person, but sadly he died unexpectedly from

the lung cancer with which he was suffering.

Berlin was the place to be if you were a three-time For-

mula One world champion as Niki Lauda, winner in 1975,

1977 and 1984, received the Laureus Lifetime Achievement

Award from Lewis Hamilton, winner in 2008, 2014 and 2015.

Lauda, now Non-Executive Chairman of the Mercedes AMG

Petronas team for which Hamilton drives, also had the unique

experience of sharing the stage with actor Daniel Brühl, who

played him in the film Rush, the story of his courageous come-

back after suffering serious burns in a crash in 1976.

Lauda said: “This award is very important, but I want to say

one thing: I’ve seen a lot of people here tonight winning and

losing, so I would like to dedicate this award to the losers.”

It was certainly a record-breaking night at the Laureus

World Sports Awards for winners, but it was also an emo-

tionally charged evening as one of the greatest footballers

to have lived was posthumously honoured.

“i tell you froM My own eXperience, winninG is one tHinG, but out of losinG i always learnt More for tHe future.”niki laudalaureus lifetiMe acHieveMent 2016

jordi cruyff receives tHe laureus spirit of sport award on beHalf of His fatHer

niki lauda receives tHe lifetiMe acHieveMent award froM lewis HaMilton

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daniel brüHl on staGe presentinG tHe award to niki lauda

scan tHis paGe

“on beHalf of tHe faMily i would like to tHank tHe acadeMy for tHis aMazinG tribute. as a son, i can only say i aM so proud of wHo He was and wHat He did.”jordi cruyff son of joHan cruyff

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Serena Williams celebrated another highlight in her amaz-

ing career after winning a record-equalling fourth Laureus

World Sports Award. And on a great night for tennis, No-

vak Djokovic was honoured with the Laureus World Sports-

man Award for the second straight year and for the third

time in his career. Djokovic’s reaction was generous: “What

a wonderful, emotional night. So grateful and honoured.”

Paralympic swimmer Daniel Dias also became the first to

win three Laureus Disability Awards.

On a glittering evening, broadcast to 160 countries, the

outstanding sporting achievements of 2015 were hon-

oured. Rugby was the other big winner with the All Blacks

taking the Laureus Team Award and Dan Carter receiving

the Laureus Comeback of the Year Award, following the

team’s Rugby World Cup success.

To the delight of the Berlin audience, Germany’s Jan Frode-

no, the first man to win both the Ironman World Champion-

ship and an Olympic triathlon gold medal, was presented

with the Laureus Action Sports Award, while golfer Jordan

Spieth won the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award.

Daniel Dias, one of Brazil’s big hopes for gold medals in the

Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, said: “This is another

great honour for me and gives me great encouragement, as

we are now in the build-up to the Paralympic Games in Rio.

To think I have won win three Laureus Awards, something

only managed by other sportsmen like Roger Federer, Us-

ain Bolt and Kelly Slater, is quite overwhelming.”

The football-based Moving the Goalposts community proj-

ect in Kenya won the Laureus Sport for Good Award.

award winners

Laureus World Sportsman of the year: novak djokovic

Laureus World Sportswoman of the year: Serena Williams

Laureus World team of the year: All blacks

Laureus World breakthrough of the year: Jordan Spieth

Laureus World comeback of the year: dan carter

Laureus World Sportsperson of the year with a disability: daniel dias

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the year: Jan frodeno

Laureus Spirit of Sport Award: Johan cruyff

Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: niki Lauda

Laureus Sport for good Award: moving the goalposts

As usual, the guests at the Laureus World Sports Awards in

Berlin were the height of fashion on the red carpet in tuxedos

and ball gowns, but this year, in a gesture of support for

the work of Laureus Sport for Good, many chose to wear

sneakers, from box-fresh white to super-cool vintage.

The ‘Laureus Sneakers for Good’ campaign was a way

for some of the biggest names in sport to make their

statement. Novak Djokovic and Formula One driver Nico

Rosberg led the way as the world’s top athletes joined in.

“It’s a fun idea,” said Rosberg. “Most of us seem to have

gone for white ones. It’s a fun way to get the message of

Laureus out into the world.”

novak djokovic, laureus acadeMy MeMber carles puyol and aMbassador jens leHMann MakinG a stateMent witH tHeir sneakers froM boX-fresH wHite to super-cool vintaGe

“it’s a fun way to Get tHe MessaGe of laureus out into tHe world.”nico rosberGlaureus aMbassador

#sneakersforGood

nico rosberG12 13awards Host bill Murray

jan frodeno celebratinG His win as action sportsperson of tHe year

14

Many of the guests at the Awards showed their commitment

to Laureus by taking part in the Sport for Good Jam, which

brought together young people from various Laureus-

supported projects in Germany.

Laureus gives disadvantaged children, many from immigrant

families, the opportunity to participate in sport that would

otherwise be unavailable to them.

Staged at a multi-sport venue called The Base, the young people

were able to share a skateboard ramp, a boxing ring and the

football pitch with some very famous sporting legends.

For those steeped in football folklore, it was an eye-catching

moment to see Spanish footballers Raúl and Carles Puyol,

adversaries in their careers for Real Madrid and Barcelona,

playing football literally hand in hand.

“usinG sport to Help iMprove tHe fairness in our society is soMetHinG tHat i believe in profoundly. we Have a responsibility to Help tHose less fortunate tHan ourselves, and tHrouGH sport we can Make a real difference.”

cafulaureus acadeMy MeMber

laureus acadeMy MeMber raúl participates in a football session witH younG people durinG tHe sport for Good jaM

skateboarder bob burnquist teacHes laureus acadeMy MeMber cafu a lesson or two in skateboardinG

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leadinG“brinGinG Girls into tHat platforM of football also Helps tHeM to be seen in tHat positive liGHt tHat boys would Get froM beinG on tHe football field, and we see tHat as an equaliser.”racHel MutHoGaeXecutive director of MovinG tHe Goalposts

“The first time the girls come in and register with us, they’re

shy and quiet. They won’t really talk. But after a year or two

of participation, they feel that they have something to say.

Bringing girls into that platform of football also helps them

to be seen in that positive light that boys would get from

being on the football field, and we see that as an equaliser.”

Salama Kanzungu, 17, is one of the girls who has benefited

from her experience at the project. Not only has football

helped her physically, it’s also increased her confidence and

she now acts as a leader among her peers.

Salama says: “I just love to play football, it helps me to be-

come stronger and fitter. Now I am more confident and I

don’t have a problem speaking in front of other people, and

I’m also confident enough to tell my friends whenever they

are doing something wrong.”

The demand is high; young women and girls are drawn to

Moving the Goalposts after seeing the strength and the

confidence their peers are gaining at the programme. In

the future, Rachel plans to expand the programme into

four more regions, spreading the empowerment of sport to

more and more girls.

Creating leaders and empowering girls to follow their

dreams, the organisation continues to achieve its goals and

change lives through sport.

Moving the Goalposts (MTG), supported by Laureus Sport

for Good since 2009, is a Kenyan-based sport for develop-

ment organisation which uses football to empower young

women and girls.

Earlier this year, Rachel Muthoga, Executive Director of

Moving the Goalposts, won the Sport for Good Award at

the 2016 Laureus World Sports Awards. Stepping on stage

in Berlin in front of the stars of sport and entertainment,

Rachel spoke with pride about receiving the Award. “For

us to be recognised and represented is a wonderful oppor-

tunity, and all I’d say is for all the Academy Members and

the rest of Laureus, what you’re doing is helping so many

people, so keep on doing it,” she says.

In one of Kenya’s most economically challenged areas,

Moving the Goalposts has set up a loans and savings group,

which encourages the girls to save for the future and gives

the youngsters an opportunity to borrow and lend money

to each other. “We’ve created a savings culture among the

girls; it’s economic empowerment. They come every time

for football, and they love it, but afterwards they get peer

education,” says Rachel.

MTG engages with young girls and women in some of the

poorest and most remote communities of rural Kenya.

Working in the rural regions of Kilifi and Kwale, where over

60% of the population currently live below the poverty line,

the organisation’s aim is to tackle gender disparities both

on and off the sports field. Rachel and her team currently

engage with over 5,500 young women and girls between

the age of 9 and 25.

The work of the project starts on the football pitch. “Foot-

ball is a great tool, but it’s a tool. It’s not the be-all and end-

all of why we are doing what we are doing,” says Rachel.

After each training session and match, the girls unite in

groups to participate in peer-to-peer learning and receive

reproductive health information and advice, preparing

themselves for their future.

“We’re trying to make leaders out of young girls,” says Ra-

chel. “We believe that giving them life skills, giving them

opportunities to practise leadership, that’s what’s going to

make them successful future leaders.”

16

ladiessalaMa kanzunGu (Girl on tHe riGHt) plays football witH Her peers in kilifi, kenya

racHel MutHoGa receives tHe laureus sport for Good award in berlin

Man on a

“i love a difficult life, because tHe ways you can Grow tHrouGH difficulties are twice as fast as you Grow just doinG tHe saMe old tHinG every day.”Mike Hornlaureus acadeMy MeMber

Mission

Horn speaks with such passion and adulation about his ex-

perience in the Namib. Completely disconnected and un-

supported from the outside world, Horn was living at one

with nature, surviving with natural resources and doing

what he does best – exploring.

For a man who has slept in the jungle alongside the Amazon

River and survived in -60°C conditions in the North Pole, dan-

ger is a part of day-to-day life. It’s something he embraces.

“I think that I’m always more or less in trouble,” says Horn.

“When you think that you expose your life to danger, you

can’t think it’s danger as a negative influence on what you

do. You see it as a challenge and once you take on those

challenges, you overcome those dangers, then your life

starts having a different meaning.”

They say it’s best to face your fears.

For some that could be jumping out of a plane or riding a

rollercoaster, but for Laureus Academy Member and global

explorer Mike Horn, it’s a completely different story. The

South African has slept on the side of mountains, swum

unprotected with sharks and walked with polar bears in the

Arctic Circle.

“I love danger and I love challenges,” says Horn. “I love a

difficult life, because the ways you can grow through dif-

ficulties are twice as fast as you grow just doing the same

old thing every day.”

It comes as no surprise that we catch up with Horn in the

middle of his latest challenge, a ‘Pole2Pole’ mission with

the aim of attempting to become the first person to cir-

cumnavigate the globe, North Pole to South Pole, in a sin-

gle-year expedition.

Currently in Cape Town, Horn is working on shark conser-

vation research, and once this short project has been com-

pleted, he will head for Antarctica via the Southern Ocean

on board his extraordinary exploration vessel, Pangaea.

What have the highlights of the journey been so far? “I’ve

got highlights every day of my life!” quips Horn, before tell-

ing a story about his time spent in Southern Africa’s Namib

Desert in July and August. Walking for hundreds of kilo-

metres each day, in blistering mid-day heat, Horn was in

his element.

“From an adventure point of view, the Namib was just

about being alone and stalking animals. Living in harmony

with nature will always stay a life choice and will always be

a highlight of an explorer’s life,” he says.

Living at one with nature, and not carrying substantial sup-

plies on his exploration, Horn’s diet was unconventional at

best during his time in the Namib. “I ate a couple of snakes

and scorpions that I found along the way,” says Horn. “If

you study how animals hunt, you can scavenge from them,

as well. It was more about living in harmony with nature

than anything else.”

What about water? His walk through the desert must have

been thirst-inducing to say the least. “I followed elephants for

water,” he says, matter-of-factly. Failing that, he got his hands

dirty, digging into dried riverbeds in search of hydration.

18 19

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laureus faMily reunites in GerMany

sport for Good suMMit

20 21

Inspirational leaders from over 100 Laureus-supported or-

ganisations around the world met in October for the 2016

Laureus Sport for Good Summit. The aim was to share best

practice and to help the sport for development community to

align its work with the United Nations Sustainable Develop-

ment Goals. What took place over the three-day event was in-

spiring and motivating. Young people whose lives have been

transformed through sport shared their stories with project

leaders and global legends of sport – first-hand proof that

sport has the power to change the world.

Throughout the Summit, which took place at TSG 1899 Hof-

fenheim’s Rhein-Neckar-Arena, participants were united

into ‘tribes’, which offered up strong relationship-building

opportunities and discussions on creativity and innovation

as well as funding and support.

Laureus-supported projects pledged their commitment at

the Summit to target their work towards achieving the Sus-

tainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out by the United

Nations. Laureus Sport for Good has identified six key ar-

eas within the SDGs which sport is a powerful and cost ef-

fective tool to pursue: Health, Education, Women and Girls,

Employability, Inclusive Society and Peaceful Society. All

programmes supported by Laureus must achieve results in

at least one of these areas.

Participants also had the chance to share experiences and

seek inspiration from Laureus Academy Members and rug-

by legends Sean Fitzpatrick and Hugo Porta, and USA’s

four-time Olympic gold medal winning basketball star,

Laureus Ambassador Tamika Catchings. Sean, Hugo and

Tamika all rolled up their sleeves and engaged with tribes,

listening and learning as well as offering advice.

“We are hugely proud of the work done by Laureus-support-

ed projects,” said Laureus Academy Chairman Sean Fitzpat-

rick, reflecting on the event. “Hearing inspirational stories

from project leaders at the Sport for Good Summit encour-

aged all of us to ramp up even further our efforts to transform

the lives of young people through sport.”

Tami Hay, from The Peres Centre for Peace, has participated

in several Laureus Summits over the years and continues to

value the experience, the lessons learnt and the relation-

ships built. “I really liked the diversity, the fact that it is not

focused on one sport, and that’s what is so special about

Laureus Sport for Good,” said Tami. “I liked the fact that you

could speak really openly; it feels like we can speak honest-

ly. I really enjoyed the tribe concept and it’s probably some-

thing I will adopt and take back with me back home. I’ve

got the feeling that I’m part of something getting bigger.”

At the close of the event, Sean Fitzpatrick thanked the par-

ticipants for the work they do in spreading the message of

Laureus Sport for Good far and wide, transforming the lives

of young people through sport. If the 2016 Laureus Sport for

Good Summit is anything to go by, the future of the global

Sport for Development sector is in able and ambitious hands.

“HearinG inspirational stories froM project leaders at tHe sport for Good suMMit encouraGed all of us to raMp up even furtHer our efforts to transforM tHe lives of younG people tHrouGH sport.”sean fitzpatricklaureus acadeMy cHairMan

22 23

laureus acadeMy cHairMan sean fitzpatrick brinGs tHe faMous Haka to tHe laureus sport for Good suMMit

scan tHis paGe

2524

Globalpartner news

Mercedes-benz board MeMber ola källenius visits laureus-supported project kick on ice in berlin, GerMany

The Laureus spirit and Mercedes-Benz corporate culture

share many common values, including determination,

sportsmanship, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence.

Our entire workforce, all the way up to every member of

the Board of Management, is highly engaged in support-

ing Laureus Sport for Good.

In an increasingly tense world, sport can build bridges

between nations, religions and social groups. This is why

Mercedes-Benz chose Laureus Sport for Good as a light-

house project for all of its corporate social responsibility

activities. This strong commitment stretches across the

entire company, starting with social volunteering events

for employees and stretching all the way up to personal

involvement of Executive-level management.

All members of the Board of Management believe in the

work of Laureus Sport for Good and share its mission to

help young people overcome social challenges through

sport. In order to show their concern and to lead by exam-

ple, each member of the Board of Management assumes

the patronage of an individual Laureus sports project.

Because Laureus has supported more than 150 projects

in 35 countries, all eight members of the Board of Man-

agement were able to select a project to which they felt

a close connection. During frequent visits to the projects,

the board members get first-hand, on-site information

about the project’s successful work, while at the same

time Laureus is able to attract more attention to its activ-

ities and generate even more goodwill.

As well as supporting on a global level, Mercedes-Benz

have invested at national levels, recently launching signifi-

cant support for Laureus Sport for Good in the UK, Taiwan

and India among others. This support will have a positive

impact on Laureus-supported projects in the respective

countries, enabling them to do more of what they do best:

helping young people through sport.

Mercedes-Benz is committed to its social involvement

over the long term, but is also available at short notice.

For example, in response to the current urgent need for

refugee projects, 120 leading managers at Daimler AG

came together to make an immediate donation. Together,

they contributed a substantial sum of their private funds,

which was rounded up by the company to an impressive

total of 500,000 euros. In this way, they once again sent a

very important social message: “We all care. Personally!”

dr. dieter zetscHe, cHairMan of daiMler aG and Head of Mercedes-benz cars, durinG a laureus project visit at urban dove cHarter scHool in brooklyn, new york

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IWC Schaffhausen, Switzerland. www.iwc.com

Limited edition of 1,500 watches in stainless steel,

Mechanical movement, Self-winding, 42-hour

power reserve when fully wound, Moon phase,

Central hacking seconds, Back engraving (figure),

Water-resistant 3 bar, 11 mm case height, Diameter

37 mm, Alligator leather strap by Santoni

2010052_O6OL3_210x285_p_img_ZS_4c_en.indd 1 16.11.16 16:50

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Globalpartner news

Since 2005, IWC Schaffhausen has been a Global Part-

ner of Laureus Sport for Good. The successful partnership

forms a cornerstone of the Swiss luxury watch manufactur-

er’s commitment to improving society.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a key concern

for IWC Schaffhausen. As a company from the luxury

goods sector, IWC feels a strong obligation to contribute

to a better society. In 2005, the manufacturer became a

Global Partner of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

IWC shares the core values of the Foundation and firmly

believes in the importance of creating better future pros-

pects for disadvantaged children and adolescents around

the world.

The focal point of this long-standing collaboration is the

launch of a limited edition timepiece each year. With a

part of the proceeds from the sales, various projects of

the Foundation are supported. Last year, IWC released the

10th special edition in favour of Laureus. The Portofino Au-

tomatic Moon Phase 37 Edition “Laureus Sport for Good

Foundation” is limited to 1,500 watches worldwide. The dial

and the moon phase display feature the unmistakable Lau-

reus blue, lending the timepiece an extraordinary depth.

Another characteristic feature of the Laureus special edi-

tions is the engraving on the case back. Each year, IWC

organises a drawing competition for children and adoles-

cents in the context of the Foundation’s projects. From

last year’s drawing competition, the drawing by 16-year old

Eleni Partakki from Cyprus was selected to be engraved

on the case back of the timepiece. She is a participant of

Peace Players International Cyprus, a project that encour-

ages Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot youth living on the

divided island to play basketball together.

The Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Edition “Laureus

Sport for Good Foundation” was officially launched at the

17th Laureus World Sports Awards in Berlin, Germany. The

gala event was also attended by IWC brand ambassadors

Nico Rosberg, Oliver Bierhoff and Alexey Nemov. At a sep-

arate launch event for the watch in the UK, British, world

and Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton was an-

nounced as the latest Laureus Sport for Good Ambassador.

For the special edition watch of 2017, a jury made up of

members from IWC and the Laureus Foundation selected

a shortlist of drawings. The finalists were then submitted to

a public vote for the first time in order to determine which

drawing will be engraved on the back of the 11th special

edition watch.

IWC also continued to support the Laureus Switzerland

Foundation, which it co-founded in 2007. Last year’s high-

light was the 10th Charity Night, which took place on 19

November, 2016. Once again, the manufacturer donated a

precious watch to the annual Charity Night’s auction. Many

local projects, such as Laureus Girls in Sport or Laureus

Street Soccer, benefit from the funds raised at this event.

joacHiM lÖw and jessica kastrop pose witH portofino autoMatic Moon pHase 37 edition

laureus aMbassador victoria pendleton at tHe uk launcH of iwc scHaffHausen’s portofino autoMatic Moon pHase 37 edition “laureus sport for Good foundation”

29

30

new on

“skateboardinG is a little out of My coMfort zone, but wHen tony Hawk says ‘try tHis’, i aM not GoinG to say ‘no’.”alessandro del pierolaureus acadeMy MeMber

It was one of the most unlikely ways anyone has ever been

inducted into the Laureus World Sports Academy.

Alessandro Del Piero, one of the greatest footballers of his

generation, received a handshake and a skateboard from

Tony Hawk and was directed to the American legend’s own

private ramp in San Diego, California, and told to have a go.

“Skateboarding is a little out of my comfort zone,” said Del

Piero with classic understatement. “But when Tony Hawk

says ‘try this’, I am not going to say ‘no’.”

World Cup and Champions League winner Del Piero

showed some of the balance that enabled him to score 208

goals in 513 games for Juventus, then sensibly handed over

to global skateboard legend Hawk. “Alessandro is a soccer

legend, so it was fun to show him something new in the

form of vertical skateboarding first hand,” he said.

Two months later, the scene switched almost 6,000 miles

to Paris where Chinese tennis phenomenon Li Na became

the 60th Laureus Academy Member. Li Na was the first Chi-

nese player to win a Grand Slam title in Paris in 2011, and it

sparked a boom in tennis in China.

As she was pictured beside the Eiffel Tower, she said: “I am

so happy that this happened in Paris, a city which means so

much to me. Sport has given me so much throughout my

life. The lessons I learned, the wins and the losses made me

into the person I am today. I’m honoured to join this incredi-

ble team of sporting legends in the Laureus Academy, and I’m

looking forward to supporting the work of Laureus Sport for

Good and inspiring young people around the world through

sport,” she said.

Over the last few months, the Laureus Family has welcomed

a record number of new Academy Members. Football is

particularly well represented with Brazil’s Cafu, Portugal’s

Luís Figo and Spain’s Carles Puyol and Raúl all teaming up

with Del Piero.

At the Laureus World Sports Awards in Berlin in April, the

great German skier Maria Höfl-Riesch and former Irish rug-

by captain Brian O’Driscoll also joined the Academy.

Most recently, in Mexico on the eve of the 2016 Mexican

Grand Prix, boxing’s last undisputed heavyweight champi-

on Lennox Lewis joined the Laureus World Sports Acade-

my. Lewis also launched a Laureus Sport for Good activi-

ty in Mexico City and said: “I have visited several Laureus

projects over the last few years and have always been im-

pressed with how sport can really engage with kids.”

Cafu, the only man to play in four consecutive World Cups,

including three straight World Cup Finals, spoke for all

the new Laureus Academy Members when he said: “Using

sport to help improve the fairness in our society is some-

thing that I believe in profoundly. We have a responsibility

to help those less fortunate than ourselves, and through

sport we can make a real difference.”

board31

32

lennoX

Lennox Lewis, boxing’s latest undisputed heavyweight

champion, has been announced as the 61st Member of the

Laureus World Sports Academy. The legend of boxing, who

has been a believer in the power of sport for his whole life,

got straight to work by visiting the TRASO project, launch-

ing Laureus activity in Mexico.

Lewis, who notched up 41 wins throughout his career, spent

time learning about the work of the project, engaging with

at-risk young people through boxing. He then jumped in

the ring and offered the young people hints and tips on

their boxing techniques, before encouraging them to be

the best they can be in sport but also in life. Laureus Acad-

emy Member Carles Puyol joined Lewis in Mexico and in-

ducted him into the Laureus World Sports Academy.

The TRASO project works to address gang violence, build

community cohesion and empower young people. Joined

by Puyol and Lewis, children took part in a mix of boxing

and life-skills sessions designed to develop and strengthen

their values.

“Sport changed my life and it can do the same for so many

others,” said Lewis. “It’s a great honour to become a Lau-

reus Academy Member and even better to be straight into

action in Mexico City, where we are announcing our sup-

port for several projects which will help to improve the lives

of young people here.”

Lewis, a Laureus Ambassador since 2012, has experienced

the work of various Laureus Sport for Good projects and

fully understands the importance sport can have in the life

of a young person. Lewis said: “I have visited several Lau-

reus projects over the last few years and have always been

impressed with how sport can really engage with kids. It’s a

natural fit and can make an amazing difference.”

Working in co-operation with a number of leading Sport

for Development organisations, Laureus-supported proj-

ects in Mexico City will use boxing, martial arts and foot-

ball to tackle gang violence, youth crime and drug-related

issues, as well as helping children from poor communities

to secure a better education through funding and training

opportunities.

Talking after his visit with the young people, Lewis em-

phasised the importance of work being done by organisa-

tions like TRASO. The new Laureus Academy Member said:

“Speaking from my experience, sport is very important in

the development of a young person because it helps you

make decisions about life. In sport you have to dedicate

yourself, give it time and learn to make sacrifices. Sport

teaches all the tools you need for life.”

“sport cHanGed My life and it can do tHe saMe for so Many otHers.”lennoX lewislaureus acadeMy MeMber

steps into

action33

laureus aMbassador nico rosberG poses witH laureus acadeMy MeMbers lennoX lewis and

carles puyol prior to tHe 2016 MeXican Grand priX

scan tHis paGe

34 35

“i was just blown away by tHe poverty and How desolate and dire tHe livinG conditions were, and also How tHe younG adults wHo were runninG and in control of tHe project were so positive. it was unbelievable and tHose are MeMories i’ll Hold onto for tHe rest of My life.”MicHael joHnsonlaureus acadeMy MeMber

Sport plays a huge part in our society, so what we’re doing at

Laureus resonates powerfully with people around the world.

As Laureus Academy Members and Ambassadors, our lives

have all been affected by sport, and now we are each trying

to use the inspirational power of sport to help others.

I know only too well how sport can teach kids important val-

ues and how it can also change people’s lives for the better.

I saw this up close when I visited Kenya a few years ago with

Laureus. It was an incredible experience. The Mathare Youth

Sports Association (MYSA) is a fantastic project and has been

extremely effective in helping the kids of that community and

giving them hope. While there, I visited one of the neighbour-

hoods and could not believe the living conditions.

The young man who toured me around the community was

the director of the Mathare project. I was quite surprised

when he pointed out to me where he used to live and he ex-

plained that not only had he lived there, but he had also been

a participant in the project. So these kids can see that rath-

er than someone who’s come from the outside to direct this

project, this is a person who’s exactly like them, who grew up

exactly where they grew up, in the same conditions, and saw

the same things that they saw every day. That is the epitome

of a true role model for these kids.

I was just blown away by the poverty and how desolate and

dire the living conditions were, and also how the young adults

who were running and in control of the project were so posi-

tive. It was unbelievable and those are memories I’ll hold onto

for the rest of my life.

Seeing the excitement on the faces of the young people in

Mathare, reminded me of being out there competing myself.

It’s now 16 years since I retired, but in an Olympic year like

this has been, I am still asked if I ever wish I was still out there

racing on the track. I haven’t once had that thought. I was very

fortunate to achieve all the goals that I had set for myself, so

when I retired from the sport I was still ranked No. 1 in the

world.

Probably I could have gone on for another four years and

won a couple more Olympic gold medals, but I had run out

of goals, so I made the decision to move on to new challeng-

es. What better challenge could there be than supporting the

work of an organisation like MYSA?

My laureusby MicHael joHnson

laureus acadeMy MeMber MicHael joHnson durinG His visit to Mysa in nairobi, back in 2006

Laureus Academy Member and former long-distance run-

ning great Tegla Loroupe was given the role of Chef de Mis-

sion by International Olympic Committee President Thom-

as Bach. Loroupe led the Refugee Olympic Team into their

historic first Olympic Games.

On the evening of Friday 5 August, Loroupe, Mardini and

her nine fellow Refugee Olympic teammates walked into

the Opening Ceremony at the Maracanã Stadium directly

ahead of the host nation to join the greatest athletes in the

world. The atmosphere was electric, the Brazilian party had

started but the spotlight was on Mardini and her Refugee

Olympic teammates.

As she stepped onto the starting block before the start of

her 100m butterfly heat, which she won in a time of 1 min

9.21 sec, Mardini went through her usual pre-race motions.

Aside from being the biggest race of her career, she was

aware of the role she played in sending a message to those

who have been displaced around the world.

“I know what the meaning of the Refugee Olympic Team

is,” said Mardini. “We want to send a message of hope to all

refugees in the world. And we want to show the world that

we are normal people, who are doing sport like everyone

else at the Olympics.

“It was the first time that this team is taking part at the

Olympics. We all hope that it will be the last time, because

the refugee crisis will end. But everyone can imagine that

it will be difficult to change the world in four years. So, it

is special. We are born in different countries, we left our

homeland and we are now part of a team that will repre-

sent millions of refugees from all over the world.”

In Rio, the eyes of the world were watching and the lights

were upon her. She wasn’t carrying the hopes of a nation,

she was giving hope to those without a nation. Mardini

jumped into the water, forgot everything around her and

swam for her life.

Challenges have been a part of Yusra Mardini’s life for as

long as she can remember.

Two years ago, along with her family, the cheerful and talent-

ed 18-year-old swimmer fled her home in Damascus, as war

intensified. They travelled to Beirut, Istanbul and then to the

coastal Turkish town of Izmir, where they were lucky enough

to board a boat headed for the Greek island of Lesbos.

The boat was in fact a dinghy and, as was the case with

most vessels carrying immigrants, hugely overcrowded.

After one hour, the dinghy broke down and Mardini, along

with her sister Sarah and one other passenger, swam the

remainder of the journey, dragging the boat to the shore

with all their efforts. Mardini was swimming for her life.

Swimming kept her alive. Mardini and her family arrived in

Berlin in September last year, and she was directed towards

the Wasserfreunde Spandau 04 swimming club where she

started training with coach Sven Spannekrebs. Their goal

was to work hard to be in contention to compete at the

2020 Olympic Games; however, Mardini’s progression was

faster than expected, and she received a place to compete

in the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle competition in

Rio, representing the Refugee Olympic Team.

Current statistics state that approximately 65.3 million peo-

ple have been forcibly displaced from home, 21.3 million of

whom are refugees and over half are under the age of 18. In

this year’s Rio Olympic Games, ten stateless athletes – four

women and six men – competed in swimming, athletics and

judo under the Olympic flag. They made up the first Refu-

gee Olympic Team.

Mardini learnt to swim as she learnt to walk. Surrounded by

a family of swimmers, she fell in love with the sport at an

early age. Throughout her 18 years, swimming has not only

taught her to work hard to achieve her goals, it has helped

save her life and taken her to the greatest stage of all.

Mardini believes the challenges she has been faced with

in life have made her stronger. “The experiences will never

let me forget where I’m from. What happened the last few

months of my life is an example that everyone can reach

their goals; you just have to fight for it.”

“we want to sHow tHe world tHat we are norMal people, wHo are doinG sport like everyone else at tHe olyMpics.”yusra Mardini

Hope36 37

yusra Mardini froM tHe refuGee olyMpic teaM coMpetinG at tHe rio 2016 olyMpic GaMes

flyinG tHe flaG of

38

pay it

They call it The Big Easy, but in New Orleans, life can be tough.

In August 2005, the city of New Orleans, a city of life, joy

and activity, was desolated by the aftermath of Hurricane

Katrina. A storm featuring winds up to 175 mph battered

the city, tearing up everything in its path. Homes were left

ruined, lives taken and families devastated.

No matter how tough it got, positivity prevailed. Through

adversity came a sense of community. This is a story of giv-

ing it all up, and paying it forward.

Sky Hyacinthe came from meagre beginnings. He grew up

between The Bronx in New York and Stamford in Con-

necticut, and for a time his family lived in two rooms in

a drugs house. He found solace from this struggle on the

basketball court.

“Basketball was part of life,” he says. His older cousins

played, and despite “not being very good”, Sky tried to

match them on the court. With effort came enjoyment and

he was soon hooked. During summer months, Sky would

train for up to eight hours each day.

Sky had the focus and determination to fulfil his potential.

He concentrated on his sport and education, and his hard

work resulted in achieving a scholarship to the University

of Connecticut, one of the leading basketball universities in

the USA. Working his hardest on the court and in the class-

room, he graduated with a degree in Marketing.

After graduating, Sky took the time to visit his good friend

and college teammate Emeka Okafor, who was playing for

the New Orleans Hornets at the time. During his visit, Sky

decided to drive to Ninth Ward, an area heavily impacted

by Hurricane Katrina. “I didn’t go to help,” he says. “I went

to see how the rebuilding process was going.” He saw dere-

lict homes, debris and barren streets. Stopping the car, the

only noise he heard was the bouncing of basketballs.

“Being who I am, I immediately headed towards the bas-

ketball court,” says Sky. There he met talented youngsters

working on their passing and shooting skills, with smiles on

their faces. Sky recognised that they needed support, both

on and off the court. He returned the next day, the day after

that and every other day for the next two weeks to offer

coaching and support.

“wHere you start in life doesn’t always siGnify wHere you’re GoinG to end in life. ”sky HyacintHe proGraM director of elevate new orleans

“A few days into my visits to the Ninth Ward, one child

looked me in the eye and said: ‘No one cares about me

and no one loves me.’” At that moment, Sky decided to

drop everything and pay it forward. Despite the offer of an

exciting career with the NBA in Atlanta, he focused on the

next generation and concentrated on what mattered most

in his mind. From his own pocket, he started a small-scale

project, using basketball to teach youth about life, to help

them in school and to assist them on the court.

Sky saw potential in the young people he worked with, in-

stilling lessons for life in the youngsters: time management,

respect, manners.

Today, three of those youngsters are in college and one re-

cently graduated with a degree in Marketing. The project

has developed in both size and stature, and so far Sky and

his team have sent 16 out of 16 young people from disadvan-

taged backgrounds to university on a basketball scholarship.

“To me, that means I made the right choice to stop the car,”

says Sky. “Now I can say that at least one life was ultimately

changed.”

With support from Laureus Sport for Good, Elevate is en-

couraging youngsters from the most challenging neigh-

bourhoods of New Orleans to be the best they can be.

Sky and his team dedicate their time for the betterment of

the youth, and when questioned on his main message to

youngsters who join the programme, Sky draws upon his

own personal experience.

“Where you start in life doesn’t always signify where you’re

going to end in life. So just work hard, persevere and every-

thing will be alright.”

forward

38

sky HyacintHe witH His teaM in elevate new orleans

40

Through boxing and other combat sports, Luta Pela Paz in

Rio de Janeiro and its partner organisation in London focus

on five key areas in order to engage with and develop the

skills of young people both in and out of the boxing ring.

These include boxing and martial arts, education, employ-

ability, social support and youth leadership. The final aim is

to empower young people to be champions in life.

Roberto Custodio, a Luta Pela Paz participant, has benefited

from the work of the project in helping provide direction in

his life. “Sport transforms, teaches us many things that only

sport can teach to make our life more complete, like deter-

mination, resilience, companionship, care and humility,” said

Laureus Real Hero Roberto. “I have seen so many young

people in this community totally lost, without any idea of

what to do. Now Luta Pela Paz is an option for them.”

In the Complexo da Maré favela, where Luta Pela Paz op-

erates, openly armed adolescents have traditionally pa-

trolled the streets. The success of the project has already

become palpable: recent results show that children who

attend the project are 68% less likely to commit a crime

or carry a weapon.

In the lead-up to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic

Games, Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima visited the Lau-

reus-supported project Luta Pela Paz (Fight for Peace) in

the favelas of Rio.

Luta Pela Paz, which has been supported by Laureus Sport

for Good since 2004, combines martial arts with education

and personal development to realise the potential of young

people in communities affected by crime, violence and so-

cial exclusion. During the visit, martial arts enthusiast Lima

interacted with the young people, sparring with them in the

ring and inspiring them outside of it.

Since 2005, IWC Schaffhausen has been a dedicated Glob-

al Partner of Laureus. In her role as IWC Brand Ambassador,

Lima took time out of her hectic schedule to invest her time

in young people in her home country.

“I feel very honoured to have the chance to be in the ring

and share my passion for boxing with these children,” said

Lima. “This project improves their self-esteem and allows

them to find value in themselves and understand what

they’re capable of. It’s a beautiful thing.”

a sHaredpassion

“tHis project iMproves tHeir self-esteeM and allows tHeM to find value in tHeMselves and understand wHat tHey’re capable of.”adriana liMabrazilian superModel

superModel adriana liMa visits laureus-supported project luta pela paz in rio

40

laureus aMbassadorslaureus aMbassadors are a select Group of botH current and retired sportsMen and woMen wHo Have acHieved sportinG Greatness or Made siGnificant contributions to tHe sportinG coMMunity durinG tHeir careers. tHey are recoGnised as role Models and icons of success and Have volunteered tHeir services to support tHe work of tHe laureus sport for Good foundation.

kurt aeschbacher TV Personalitycecil afrika Rugby Unionben ainslie Sailingjosef ajram Extreme Sportsnatascha badmann TriathlonMansour bahrami Tennisrobert baker Golfbaschi Rock Singersebastian battaglia Football layne beachley Surfingkenny belaey Trial Bikingdiego benaglio Footballverena bentele Paralympic Skiingjamie bestwick BMX serge betsen Rugby UnionMiki biasion Motor Racingdenise biellmann Figure Skatingole bischof Judostefan blöcher Hockeyfredi bobic Footballannabelle bond MountaineeringMarco bortolami Rugby UnionMartin braxenthaler Paralympic Skiingschalk brits Rugby Unionschalk burger Rugby Unionadolfo cambiaso Poloflávio canto Judo fabio capello Football jesús carballo Gymnasticsdavide cassani Cyclingandrea cassarà Fencingtamika catchings Basketballjackie chan Film Starstéphane chapuisat Footballalmudena cid Gymnasticskelly clark Snowboardingjavier conde Paralympic Athletics Àlex corretja Tennisdavid coulthard Motor Racinglawrence dallaglio Rugby Unionnicol david Squashdeco Footballteun de nooijer Hockeyiván de pineda TV Personalitydavid de rothschild Eco Adventurerjean de villiers Rugby Union vicente del bosque Footballdeshun deysel Mountaineeringdaniel dias Paralympic Swimming valentina diouf Volleyballlucas di Grassi Motor Racingandrea dovizioso Motorcyclingjulia dujmovits Snowboardingnatalie du toit Paralympic Swimmingdesiree ellis FootballManel estiarte Water Poloalessandro fabian Triathlonjuan fernández Miranda Rugby Unionnicolás fernández Miranda Rugby Unionrossella fiamingo Fencingarianna fontana Speed Skatingquinton fortune Footballwilliam fox-pitt EquestrianMissy franklin Swimming

frankie fredericks Athleticsthomas frischknecht Cyclingjan frodeno TriathlonMartin fuchs EquestrianManuel fumic Mountain Biking Moritz fürste Hockey barbara fusar-poli Figure Skatingdanilo Gallinari Basketballalejandra Garcia flood Athleticsryan Giggs Footballfelix Gottwald Nordic Skiingpep Guardiola Footballruud Gullit Footballlara Gut Alpine Skiingbryan Habana Rugby Unionfabian Hambüchen Gymnasticseduardo Heguy Poloignacio Heguy PoloMax Heinzer Fencingtim Henman Tenniskelly Holmes Athleticsedith Hunkeler Wheelchair Racingjuan ignacio sánchez Basketballcolin jackson Athleticsbutch james Rugby UnionMarc janko Football Mike jankowski Snowboarding jacques kallis Cricketariella käslin Athleticselvira khasyanova Synchronised Swimmingtaïg khris Inline Skatingchrista kinshofer Alpine Skiingconny kissling Freestyle Skiingdaria korobova Synchronised Swimmingjanica kostelic Alpine Skiingphilip köster Windsurfing nia künzer FootballHenri leconte Tennisjens lehmann Footballkathrin lehmann Ice Hockeycarlos lima fuentes Athleticslin dan BadmintonGrant lottering Cyclingbob lujano Wheelchair Rugby Michael lynagh Rugby Unionfabrizio Macchi Cyclingfilippo Magnini SwimmingHermann Maier Alpine SkiingMatteo Manassero GolfMaurizio Margaglio Figure SkatingMarc Márquez MotorcyclingMatias Martin TV Personalityferran Martínez Basketballjuan Mata Footballnick Matthew Squashap Mccoy Horse Racingbarry McGuigan Boxingzanele Mdodana Netballsarah Meier Figure Skatingelana Meyer AthleticsMeredith Michaels-beerbaum Equestrianroger Milla Footballalonzo Mourning Basketballryk neethling Swimming

dan nicholl TV PersonalityMesut Özil FootballGary paffett Motor Racingadriano panatta Tennispier luigi pardo Sports Journalistchris paul Basketballumberto pelizzari Divingvictoria pendleton Track CyclingManuela pesko Snowboardingsantiago phelan Rugby Unionbertrand piccard ExplorerGerard piqué Footballriccardo pittis Basketballshaun pollock Cricketbirgit prinz Footballlucas radebe Footballsimone ragusi Rugby Unionjamie redknapp Footballjohn robbie Rugby Uniontodd rogers VolleyballMaría cecilia rognoni Hockeyalice ronchetti Softballnico rosberg Motor Racingantonio rossi Canoeingrainer Maria salzgeber TV Personalityfélix sánchez Athleticsryan sandes Ultra Trail Runningchristoph sauser Mountain Bikingaxel schulz Boxingnino schurter Mountain Bikingpius schwizer Equestrianandrii shevchenko FootballMarcel siem GolfGian simmen SnowboardingGraeme smith Cricketemma snowsill Triathlonalbert soler Former Secretary of Sportsnicola spirig Athleticsvichai srivaddhanaprabha Football and Polo sebastian steudtner Surfing alain sutter FootballMarc sway Singer SongwriterMichael teuber Paralympic Cycling anzhelika timanina Synchronised Swimmingalessandro troncon Rugby Unioncynthia tshaka TV Broadcastingamaya valdemoro Basketball pieter van den Hoogenband Swimmingedwin van der sar Footballernst van dyk Wheelchair Racingyvonne van Gennip Speed SkatingMichael vaughan Cricketanna veith Alpine Skiing esther vergeer Wheelchair TennisGiuseppe vicino Rowingandré villas-boas Footballfilippo volandri Tennisian walker Sailingcourtney walsh Cricketkathi wörndl TV Personalityteam Mtn qhubeka Cyclingspanish basketball team Basketball

42

wnba leGend and laureus aMbassador taMika catcHinGs retired in septeMber 2016 after an incredible 15-year career witH tHe indiana fever.

catcHinGs is a four-tiMe olyMpic cHaMpion, Most recently securinG tHe Gold Medal at tHe 2016 olyMpic GaMes in rio.

43

thE photogRAphS in thiS mAgAzinE ARE gEtty imAgES oR gEtty imAgES foR LAUREUS, ExcEpt foR thE bELoW:

pAgE 6 mARkUS giLLiARpAgE 16 LEnnARt SpEERpAgE 18 dmitRy ShARomovpAgE 33 pAUL RipkE (top imAgE)pAgE 34 intERnAtionAL oLympic committEEpAgE 40-41 iWc SchAffhAUSEn

usinG tHe power of sport to end violence, discriMination and disadvantaGe. provinG tHat sport can cHanGe tHe world. tHe vision of laureus sport for Good

thiS iS thE officiAL mAgAzinE of thE LAUREUS SpoRt foR good foUndAtion, Which iS SUppoRtEd by itS gLobAL pARtnERS mERcEdES-bEnz And iWc SchAffhAUSEn. thE foUndAtion iS A gLobAL initiAtivE of RichEmont And dAimLER.

REgiStEREd in EngLAnd And WALES no. 05083331. REgiStEREd chARity no. 1111364.