Laureus is a non-political organisation that crosses all boundaries to unite people through the universal power of sport.
Laureus celebrates sporting excellence and promotes the use of sport as a tool for social change, bringing people together as a force for good.
Laureus embodies the very spirit of sport – the pursuit of excellence, overcoming challenges, celebrating achievement and winning against the odds.
Laureus comprises three elements - the Laureus World Sports Academy, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Laureus World Sports Awards.
The Laureus World Sports Academy is a unique association of the greatest living sporting legends, consisting of no more than 50 sportsmen and women at any one occasion, who volunteer their time to act as global ambassadors for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The members of the Laureus World Sports Academy share a belief in the power of sport to break down barriers, bring people together and to improve the lives of young people around the world. Each year they also vote to decide the winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards.
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation addresses social challenges through a worldwide programme of sports related community development initiatives. Through its projects, the Laureus Foundation uses sport as the means to tackle problems such as HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, crime, social exclusion, landmines awareness, violence, discrimination and health problems such as obesity. Laureus supports more than 80 projects around the world and since its inception has raised more than €40 million for sports-based projects which have helped to improve the lives of over one million young people.
The Laureus World Sports Awards is the premier global sports awards honouring the greatest sportsmen and women across all sports each year. The winners are selected by the ultimate sports jury - the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, the living legends of sport honouring the great athletes of today. The Awards are presented at an annual Awards Ceremony, attended by global figures from sport and entertainment, which is broadcast around the world.
Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
The core concept of Laureus is simple and effective: Laureus attracts groups of people who share a belief in the power of sport to break down barriers, to engage with others and to change the world for the better. It seeks to inspire hope and positive change for children around the world using sport as a unique social vehicle.
The Laureus message is simply: Sport for Good.