Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the reigning world champion in the 100 meters, was honored with the prestigious Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award on May 9th in Paris, as reported by World Athletics.
This celebration of an exceptional year in sports brought together eight distinguished award recipients in the beautiful city of Paris. The event, hosted at the Pavillon Vendome, saw the gathering of esteemed athletes who have excelled in various sports, along with members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, previous Laureus Award winners, and some of the world’s most accomplished athletes.
Thirteen years after clinching her first 100-meter gold, Fraser-Pryce secured her fifth 100m title at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon22. Her achievements set her apart as the athlete with the most world sprint championships to her name. In 2022, she shattered the previous record for a female sprinter in a single calendar year by clocking seven times under 10.7 seconds. Fraser-Pryce’s remarkable performance left her competition far behind, earning her the nickname “Pocket Rocket” from Jamaica. She has been nominated for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award six times, a testament to her exceptional speed, consistency, and endurance.
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“I was thrilled to be nominated alongside such inspiring women athletes,” she said. “This is the sixth time I’ve been nominated in this category, so to finally hold the Laureus statuette in my hands is one of the greatest honours of my career” she added.
“When athletes have the spotlight, it’s important the example we set is the best it can be,” Fraser-Pryce admitted. “We have a responsibility to influence the next generation in a positive way and that’s what the Laureus Awards are all about.”
The nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards are selected by an international panel of media experts, and the ultimate winners are determined through the votes of the 71 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy. This distinguished academy comprises legendary athletes who have excelled in various sports over the past five decades.
In the 2023 edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards, Lionel Messi, the football sensation, was honored with the Laureus World Sportsman award alongside other outstanding recipients.
This prestigious event not only recognized some of the greatest athletes in history but also celebrated the achievements of the top athletes of 2022. It also paid tribute to the mission that has been at the core of Laureus since its inception in 2000. Nelson Mandela, the organization’s inaugural patron, expressed during the first edition of this event that “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” This powerful statement has continued to serve as the driving force behind all of Laureus’s endeavors.