The SportAccord Awards gala event at the SportAccord Convention was a huge success with delegates and representatives from the sporting world, ambassadors, and athletes present at the world ceremony.
It was a celebration of sport and athletes as the inaugural edition of the SportAccord Euronews Awards was organized in Sochi in Russia.
Honouring the spirit of sports, participation and competition, the following winners were awarded in each of the 6 categories on the night:
- Sportsman of the Year – Mariusz Wlazly, Volleyball
- Sportswoman of the Year – Kaillie Humphries, Bobsleigh
- Sport Hero – Teddy Riner, Judo and Alex Zanardi, Para-cycling
- Sport City of the Year- Sochi, Russia
- Play for Change Media Award – 805 Million Names featuring Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Spirit of Sport Award – International Netball Federation
President of Association of National Olympic Committees Sheikh Ahmed Al-Sabah gave the Spirit of Sport Award to this year’s winner, the International Netball Federation. IFMA congratulates Netball, and we understand the prestige and honour that comes with this award, which Muaythai won last year.
Olympic legend, Lord Sebastian Coe was also present to give the Play for Change Media Award, which went to 805 Million Names featuring Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The ceremony also honoured the following 3 sporting legends with the title of World Ambassadors of Sport:
Nadia Comeneci, Gymnastics
Lothar Matthaus, Football
Aleksandr Karelin, Wrestling
Speaking on the conclusion of the awards, SportAccord President Marius L. Vizer said, “These awards are for sport and I will live till the end for sport.”
A gala ceremony featuring performances from renowned Romanian tenor, Marcel Pavel and singer, Irina Nicolae was broadcast live on Euronews worldwide and on the internet.
Accepting his award via a video message, Zlatan Ibrahimovic said, “The 805 Million Names campaign was for raising awareness for hunger around the world. Thanks to SportAccord and Play for Change for recognizing the cause and let us take it forward.”
The SportAccord Euronews Awards were instituted to honour sporting excellence from within SportAccord’s member federations and invited nominations from the members, before opening the voting to the public. The awards ceremony marked the end of the 2015 SportAccord Convention World Sport and Business Summit in Sochi that saw the participation of over 3000 participants.
Watch the full replay of the SportAccord Awards below, courtesy of Sports Hub.
Source: SportAccord
