After Missy Franklin was nominated earlier this month for the women's award, Michael Phelps has been nominated for the men's version of the Laureus World Sports Award. This is one of the most prestigious global awards that exists in sports, and is chosen from a panel of the world's leading sports editors, writers, and broadcasters from more than 80 countries around the world.
(Note: The awards are given in the year following the achievements, so this competition is for the 2013 honor).
In the 13-year history of the award, no swimmer has ever won either Sportsman or Sportswoman of the Year, though swimmers have won several minor awards. Even in 2008, where Michael Phelps won 8 golds at the Olympics, he was upset by Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt after he destroyed the World Record in sports most prestigious event: the 100 meter dash.
Two favorites have emerged among the 6 finalists on the men's side, though: Phelps and Bolt. Both are history-makers, as both are hailed far-and-wide as the greatest their sport has ever seen.
Phelps' accolades are likely well-known to readers of this site. In London, he won 6 medals, including 4 golds, and more significantly won his 22nd medal, putting him far ahead of anybody in history for the most Olympic medals ever.
Bolt won just three Olympic medals, all gold, in the 100 and 200 meter dashes, plus as part of Jamaica's 4×100 relay. In absolute terms, that doesn't seem as impressive as Phelps' 6, but in terms of track & field it is a legendary performance. He became the first man to ever defend both the 100 and 200 meter titles. He is undoubtedly out-spoken and a larger-than-life personality, but he is every bit of the quality in track as Phelps is in swimming.
This will be a tough battle, as it's hard to imagine Phelps retiring without winning this award given his accomplishments. The global media has sided with Bolt in the past though, giving him the award in both 2009 and 2010. The knowledge that this might be their last opportunity to reward the illustrious career of Phelps may sway the voting in his favor, but for an award that reaches across so many countries and so many sports, it's not uncommon for unbelievable competitors to go without a win.
Former swimmers Mark Spitz and Dawn Fraser are both members of the Laureus Sports Academy, which has the privilege to bestow certain other honors.
The award almost always goes to Olympic athletes in post-Olympic years, though Tiger Woods in 2001 was an exception to that rule.
Other nominees:
- Sebastien Vettel, who won his 3rd Formula One Championship
- Rory McIlory, who led both the European and American tours in money earnings in golf
- Lionel Messi, a footballer (soccer player) who broke the legendary mark of Pele with 75 goals in a calendar year