It was the day marked for Sprint King Usain Bolt and US gymnast Simone Biles as they bagged the best sportsperson of the year award. Bolt, who won this award in 2009, 2010 and 2013 walked with record fourth Laureus Sportsman of the year award. Bolt has joined the elite club joining legend Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Kelly Slater as four-time Laureus award winner. Bolt was awarded by legendary Michael Johnson.
Sportswoman of the year is gymnast Simone Biles who won 4 gold at Rio in team, vault, floor exercise and all-round performances. In the category, she beat Katie Ledecky for 4 gold in swimming, Allyson Felix for 4X100, 4X400m relay gold, Angelique Kerber, Jamacian sprinter Eline Thompson and British cyclist Laura Kenny. Bolt also beat Mo Farah, Andy Murray, Cristiano Ronaldo and basketball duo Stephen Curry and LeBron James.
While comeback of the year was given to swimmer Michael Phelps for 5 gold and 1 silver in Rio. He notched the trophy by beating Spain high jumper Ruth Beitia, Argentina Davis Cup winner Juan Martin Del Portro, British show jumper Nick Skelton, Mauritius tri-athlete Fabienne St Louis and Norwegian skier Aksel Lund Svindal. Breakthrough of the year award is given to F-1 driver Nico Rosberg, he grab the award by beating Almaz Ayana, Wayde Van Niekerk, EPL Champs Leicester City, Iceland football team and Fiji rugby 7s team.
Team of the year was awarded to baseball team Chicago Cubs where other nominees were Mercedes F1 team, Euro Winners Portugal, Real Madrid, Brazil Olympic football team and NBA champions Cleveland Cavaliers. Other award winners are Spirit of Sport- Leicester City (football), Action Sportsperson of the year- Rachel Atherton (BMX), Sportsperson of the year with a disability- Beatrice Vio (Fencing), Sport for good award- Refugee Olympic team.