Laureus sportswoman of the year named
Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva has won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award for the second time, following her gold medal-winning performance at the Beijing Olympics last summer. Sir Bobby Charlton, Marcel Desailly and Alberto Tomba presented the award at a special presentation event in Rome.
Not only was this Ms Isinbayeva’s second Laureus Award—she also won in 2007—it is the fifth consecutive year the Russian pole-vaulter has been nominated.
She said: "It was a real thrill to win this award two years ago, but to have won it again is unbelievable. It really is a unique honour.”
In Beijing, Ms Isinbayeva cleared 5.05 metres, the 24th time she has improved the world record, to win her second Olympic gold medal. It was her ninth major championship career victory, which have included Olympic, World outdoor and indoor and European outdoor and indoor titles. She was also named IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) Female World Athlete of the Year for the third time.
Nominated for the award along with Ms Isinbayeva were: Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba, who became the first woman to win the 5,000 and 10,000 metres double at the same Olympics; Australia's Stephanie Rice, who won three swimming gold medals in Beijing; Mexico's Lorena Ochoa, the number one female golfer in the world; American skier Lindsey Vonn, who won the Alpine World Cup title; and Venus Williams, who captured her fifth Wimbledon championship.
