Laureus is a global movement that celebrates the power of sport to bring people together as a force for good.
The first Patron of Laureus was Nelson Mandela. At the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, President Mandela said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers.”
This has become the philosophy of Laureus, the driving belief behind all they do.
Laureus combines Laureus Sport for Good, the Laureus World Sports Academy and Ambassadors Programme and the Laureus World Sports Awards to form a unique organisation that uses the inspirational power of sport as a force for good.
Laureus was founded by Richemont and Daimler and continues to be supported by them along with Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen, MUFG, Allianz and other partners.
Their vision is: “using the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage. Proving that sport can change the world”.
They Support more than 100 sports-based community programmes in 35 countries to combat social challenges facing children and young people, such as violence and crime, discrimination, lack of education, unemployment and preventable diseases.
Every programme which they support is addressing at least one of the following six social issues, which are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
