The nominees for the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards have been announced, showcasing the most remarkable athletic achievements of the past year. Among the highlights are standout performances at the World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Recognized as one of the most prestigious honors in sports, the Laureus Awards celebrate excellence and the inspirational impact of athletics. A panel of top sports media professionals selects nominees across seven categories, representing the finest global talent.
Several aquatic athletes have earned nominations for their outstanding achievements.
Léon Marchand (France) | World Sportsman of the Year Nominee
At just 22 years old, Léon Marchand became the face of the Paris 2024 Olympics, making history as the first French Olympian to secure four gold medals at a single Games. His extraordinary feat included winning two individual gold medals within the same day—claiming victory in the 200m butterfly and the 200m breaststroke, with less than two hours between finals.
Paris 2024 Olympic gold medals:
🏅 200m Butterfly
🏅 200m Breaststroke
🏅 200m Individual Medley
🏅 400m Individual Medley
In recognition of his historic achievement, Marchand was given the honor of extinguishing the Olympic flame at the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony.
Caeleb Dressel (United States) | World Comeback Athlete of the Year Nominee
A dominant force at Tokyo 2020 with five Olympic gold medals, Caeleb Dressel faced a significant setback in 2022 when he withdrew mid-competition from the World Championships due to mental health struggles. Following an eight-month break from the sport, he returned in 2024 to qualify for his third Olympic Games in Paris, where he delivered a triumphant comeback.
Paris 2024 Olympic medals:
🏅 Gold – 4x100m Freestyle Relay
🏅 Gold – 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay
🥈 Silver – 4x100m Medley Relay
With nine career Olympic gold medals, Dressel is now second only to Michael Phelps in men’s swimming history.
Ariarne Titmus (Australia) | World Comeback Athlete of the Year Nominee
After claiming two gold medals at Tokyo 2020, Ariarne Titmus faced an unexpected challenge in 2023 when she was diagnosed with an ovarian tumor. Following a successful surgery, she staged an inspiring comeback at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the first woman in nearly a century to successfully defend the 400m freestyle title.
Paris 2024 Olympic medals:
🏅 Gold – 400m Freestyle
🏅 Gold – 4x200m Freestyle Relay
🥈 Silver – 200m Freestyle
🥉 Bronze – 800m Freestyle
In addition to her Olympic success, Titmus set a new world record in the 200m freestyle at the Australian Swimming Trials in June, clocking in at 1:52.23.
Summer McIntosh (Canada) | Breakthrough Athlete of the Year Nominee
At just 17 years old, Summer McIntosh made history as the first Canadian woman to win multiple individual gold medals at a single Summer Olympics. Her achievements in Paris earned her international recognition, with Time Magazine dubbing the Games the “Summer of Summer.”
Paris 2024 Olympic medals:
🏅 Gold – 200m Butterfly
🏅 Gold – 200m Individual Medley
🏅 Gold – 400m Individual Medley
🥈 Silver – 400m Freestyle
McIntosh continued her dominance at the 2024 World Swimming Championships in Budapest, where she secured three more gold medals and was named World Aquatics Female Swimmer of the Year. Her rise to stardom began at just 14 years old when she was the youngest member of Canada’s Olympic team at the 2020 Games, finishing fourth in the 400m freestyle.
Laureus Awards | 21 April in Madrid
The 25th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards will take place on April 21, 2025, in Madrid, marking a quarter-century of celebrating the world’s finest athletes. Established in 2000, the awards not only honor elite performances but also support the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which operates programs in over 40 countries.