2025 Laureus World Sports Awards Finalists Announced
Earlier this week, the finalists for the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards, which are often regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in sports, were officially revealed. The list includes some of the world’s top athletes, such as French swimmer Léon Marchand, American track and field star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen. In the team categories, the Boston Celtics and Team USA Basketball were among the finalists for the World Sports Team of the Year award.
One of the key nominees for the World Sportswoman of the Year award is American gymnast Simone Biles, who has previously won the honor in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Biles made a remarkable comeback at the 2024 Paris Olympics, referring to it as her “Redemption Tour” after stepping away from competition during the Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns. She delivered an outstanding performance in Paris, securing her second career Olympic all-around gold medal, as well as gold medals in the team and vault competitions. She also earned a silver medal in the floor exercise.
Laureus highlighted Biles’ historic achievements, emphasizing that she is the most decorated gymnast of all time with a total of 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals. In addition to her three previous Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year awards, she was named the Comeback Athlete of the Year in 2024, after being a finalist for that category in 2022.
Biles’ three gold medals in Paris, combined with her consistent dominance in gymnastics, further cement her status as one of the greatest athletes in the sport’s history.