The Laureus World Sports Awards has established a unique place in the sporting calendar, honouring the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen from around the world and across all sports. The winners are selected by the ultimate sports jury - the Laureus World Sports Academy, which consists of 41 legendary sportsmen and sportswomen.

Among the Laureus World Sports Academy members who have already confirmed their presence in Estoril, on the Lisbon coast of Portugal next month are:

Giacomo Agostini, Severiano Ballesteros,Boris Becker, Ian Botham, Sergey Bubka, Bobby Charlton, Sebastian Coe, Nadia Comaneci, Yaping Deng, Kapil Dev, David Douillet, Emerson Fittipaldi, Sean Fitzpatrick, Dawn Fraser, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Tony Hawk, Miguel Indurain, Michael Johnson, Kip Keino, Franz Klammer, John McEnroe, Edwin Moses, Nawal El Moutawakel, Robby Naish, Ilie Nastase, Gary Player, Morné du Plessis, Hugo Porta, Mark Spitz, Daley Thompson, Alberto Tomba, Katarina Witt.

Double Olympic gold medallist Edwin Moses, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said: “Portugal is a superb sporting destination and we are delighted to be going to Estoril. There has been a tremendous response from the Laureus Academy members and I am confident that the 2004 Laureus World Sports Awards will be the best ever.”

Brazil’s Emerson Fittipaldi, double Formula One world champion, said: “I am excited to be going to Estoril for the 2004 Laureus World Sports Awards. This is a tremendous thing for the Portuguese sporting community. I know the great enthusiasm of the Portuguese people for sport and I have told my fellow Laureus Academy members what a big welcome they will receive in Estoril. I am delighted that so many are coming.”

The winners of the fifth Laureus World Sports Awards, as voted by the Laureus World Sports Academy, will be unveiled during a TV ceremony staged at the Centro Cultural de Belem on the Lisbon Coast on May 10th, 2004. The Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony provides a fitting climax to two days of high-profile events, which include the Laureus Golf Challenge, the Laureus Beach Festival and the Laureus Tennis Challenge.

Members of the media who wish to attend the 2004 Laureus World Sports Awards should apply for accreditation on the Laureus website www.laureus.com/accreditation or email laureus@zonetc.com. Members of the media who wish to be added to the Laureus World Sports Awards mailing list should contact Shelly Samuel on media@laureus.org.

The Laureus Selection Panel of over 400 journalists in 73 countries has named six nominees in five categories - Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, Laureus World Team of the Year, Laureus World Newcomer of the Year and Laureus World Comeback of the Year. Specialist Panels have named six nominees in two categories - Laureus World Alternative Sportsperson of the Year and Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability. Two other special awards will be announced in Estoril - the Laureus Sport for Good Award and the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award.

The nominees are: Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Lance Armstrong (USA, Cycling); Roger Federer (Switzerland, Tennis); Michael Phelps (USA, Swimming); Valentino Rossi (Italy, Motor Cycling); Michael Schumacher (Germany, Motor Racing); Jonny Wilkinson (UK, Rugby Union).

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Inge de Bruijn (Netherlands, Swimming); Justine Henin-Hardenne (Belgium, Tennis); Maria Mutola (Mozambique, Athletics); Paula Radcliffe (UK, Athletics); Annika Sorenstam (Sweden, Golf); Serena Williams (USA, Tennis).

Laureus World Team of the Year: AC Milan (Italy, Football); Alinghi (Switzerland, Sailing); Australia Men’s Cricket Team; England Men’s Rugby Union Team; Ferrari (Italy, Motor Racing); Germany Women’s Football Team.

Laureus World Newcomer of the Year: Fernando Alonso (Spain, Motor Racing); Ben Curtis (USA, Golf), LeBron James (USA, Basketball); Robinho (Brazil, Football); Maria Sharapova (Russia, Tennis); Michelle Wie (USA, Golf).

Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Fred Couples (USA, Golf); Inge de Bruijn (Netherlands, Swimmer); Peter Forsberg (Sweden, Ice Hockey); Hermann Maier (Austria, Skiing); Martina Navratilova (USA, Tennis); Alessandro Zanardi (Italy, Motor Racing).

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Earle Connor (Canada, Athletics); Natalie du Toit (South Africa, Swimming); Vitalis Lanshima (Nigeria, Athletics); Ronny Persson (Sweden, Skiing); Michael Teuber (Germany, Cycling); Nicola Tustain (UK, Dressage).

Laureus World Alternative Sportsperson of the Year: Layne Beachley (Australia, Surfing); Gretchen Bleiler (USA, Snowboarding); Anne-Caroline Chausson (France, Mountain Biking); Laird Hamilton (USA, Surfing); Ryan Sheckler (USA, Skateboarding); Shaun White (USA, Snowboarding).

For further information please contact:

Karen Dillon Laureus International Media Office Tel: +44 (0)20 7514 2749 Email: media@laureus.org Photo Archive: www.laureusarchive.com Website: www.laureus.com