MPHO RANTAO
FORMULA One champion Lewis Hamilton has earned his third Laureus award.
Hamilton received the Laureus Athlete advocate of the Year award, an inaugural award that recognises the impact made by Hamilton in his fight against racism and for equality. His acts included his outspoken support for racial justice, and taking a knee at each Grand Prix.
Held in a virtual ceremony in Seville, Spain, Hamilton thanked the Laureus organisation for the inaugural, his third from Laureus. “A huge thank you to the Laureus World Sports Academy for presenting me with this incredible award,” he said.
The seven-time champion is a double Laureus winner with the 2008 Breakthrough Award and the shared Sportsman of the Year award with Lionel Messi last year.
“This past year has been incredibly difficult for many, but it has also been heartening to see the power of our collective voice spark new conversations and change.
“The impact of each and every one of you who have stood up, is so inspiring, so I want to thank you. Please keep fighting, keep shining your light.”
Hamilton has never been shy of speaking for good causes. As a vegan, the formula One driver has advocated for climate change and plant-based diet to reduce gas emissions.
He has used his platform as a celebrity and an athlete to call for attention on social issues such as Black Lives Matter and the #EndSars movement in Nigeria. One of his acts of activism caused a stir in Formula One, when he wore a Breonna Taylor t-shirt on the podium after winning the Grand Prix.
Although the FIA had originally announced to investigate Hamilton for that act, they closed the matter with the resolution of no t-shirts being won on the podium, and all drivers to wear their uniforms buttoned all the way.
It would be very difficult to diminish his impact in Formula one and his own team becoming better diverse organisations for people of colour and women, pushing for more opportunities in a sport where he made history as the first black driver.
The Laureus World Sports Awards also recognised Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah with the Sporting Inspiration Award, as Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp praised the footballer who thanked his team and supporters in his acceptance speech.
“When you think about Mo Salah you think, first and foremost, about an outstanding football player, a great goalscorer, super technician and a good looking guy probably,” Klopp said.
“What you don’t see and what you don’t know – maybe if you are not too much in detail – is what a good person he is. And if I tell you he’s an even better person than he is a player, then you might be able to imagine what kind of a guy he is.
“I know without other people usually in sport that doesn’t work, you cannot win individual awards. In this case, it’s your award alone. Congratulations again, well-deserved.”
Salah has been involved in several community regeneration projects in Egypt through the construction of a school, a hospital and an ambulance unit.
“2020 was a difficult year on so many levels and for so many people around the world.”
“Some of us were kept away from our family and friends, and others even lost loved ones. We need to learn from this experience, support one another and do our best to look ahead,” Salah said.
“Many times football players win awards and automatically than our fans. This time, I will dedicate this award, not only to my fans, but to all the other sports fans around the world.”
The biggest Laureus World Sports awards of the night, Sportswoman and Sportsman of the year, was won by tennis duo Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka.
American NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes walked away with his first Laureus award for World Breakthrough Award for winning the Super Bowl last year with the Kansas City Chiefs, and played in this year’s final game.
