The Hindu : Sport / Generalia : Schumacher, Sorenstam voted best

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Sport

Sport - Generalia

Schumacher, Sorenstam voted best

By K.P. Mohan

LISBON, MAY 11. Michael Schumacher's 2003 performance was so commanding that he had no real challenge when it came to the final vote of the Laureus World Sports Academy in choosing the `World Sportsman of the Year'.

Swedish golfer Annika Sorenstam was declared the `Sportswoman of the Year' for 2003 while the British rugby team won the `Team of the Year' award.

The momentum never really picked up for the evening at this glittering parade of sports personalities, for, both Schumacher and Sorenstam could not make it because of prior commitments and engagements.

John McEnroe, who co-hosted the evening programme with actress Rachel Hunter, at the Centro Cultural de Bolem, tried his best to cheer up an invited audience with his wit and asides, but after a stage he, too, gave up.

Of particular interest from India's point of view was the Laureus Sport for Good Award jointly presented to a Kenyan organisation and India and Pakistan cricket teams. The honour for India and Pakistan was in recognition of their efforts to normalise relations through the revival of the cricket series. Sunil Gavaskar and Yuvraj Singh, along with the Pakistan Ambassador received the award. The Mythare Youth Sports Association of Kenya shared the award with the sub-continent for its work among underprivileged children "Sports truly has the power to unite," commented Edwin Moses, as he announced the award, quoting Nelson Mandela's famous line at an earlier Laureus function: "sports truly has the power to change the world."

Gavaskar said that the Pakistanis were still `our brothers' and the recent tour had set standards for future relations.

India-Pakistan politics apart, it was an evening meant for the sportspersons, arranged by the sportspersons and dominated by the sportspersons, as was to be expected. For Schumacher this was the second award in the five-year history of the Laureus World Sports Academy. He had won it for his performance in 2001.

After a record sixth Formula one crown last year the German ace could only have been denied by the argument that someone else also had to be given a chance. But then Tiger Woods had won it in the first two years. The only other person to have won it so far is Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong of the US. He was in contention again this time after a record-equalling fifth consecutive Tour victory, but in the end Schumacher edged him.

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone presented the trophy to Schumacher and the recording was brought onto the giant screen with the German apologising for his absence and promising that he would be there next time.

Sorenstam also did the same, sending a recorded message. The 33-year-old Swede had completed the Grand Slam last year. She also became the first woman to play in the men's U.S. PGA Tour event in 58 years.

The Laureus lifetime achievement award was presented posthumously to Norwegian mountaineering legend Arne Naess, who died in a mountaineering accident in South Africa in January this year.

The winners:

World Sportsman of the Year: Michael Schumacher (Germany, motor racing).

World Sportswoman of the Year: Annika Sorenstam (Sweden, golf).

World Team of the Year: England rugby team.

World Comeback of the Year: Herman Maier (Austria, Alpine skiing).

World Newcomer of the Year: Michelle Wie (US, golf).

World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Earle Connor (Canada, athletics).

World Alternative Sportsperson of the Year: Ç Layne Beachley (Australia, surfing).

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