“Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.”
Luvo Manyonga after his long jump victory in London. Photo by Marco Verch/Flickr.
Each year, incredible moments of courage, feats that seem impossible, and signs of unity that demonstrate the power of sports to change the world are told through the Laureus Best Sporting Moment of the Year competition.
These moments, captured in the video clips below, are shortlisted by sports legends — such as Nadia Comaneci, Marcus Allen, and Edwin Moses from the Laureus World Sports Academy — and look beyond the scoreboards and podiums to bring to life the way sports can break down barriers, bring people together, and improve the lives of young people around the world.
Fans everywhere can choose their favorite moment from a panel of six shortlisted videos. Five monthly winners will compete against each other in a final global public vote with the winner announced at the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards in February in Monaco.
Fans can vote for their favorite moment on the Laureus website. The next round of nominees will be published Dec. 1.
Laureus is a global movement that is working to combat social challenges facing children and young people, such as violence and crime, discrimination, lack of education, unemployment, and preventable diseases.
Here are the six shortlisted candidates:
The Armless Archer
Matt Stutzman overcomes adversity to beat other archers at the U.S. National Championships.
My Best Mate
The friendship of fans Jarryd Haines, who is 12, and his vision-impaired best friend Mark Smith, age 13, proves that Australian Rules soccer is more than just a game.
From Crystal Meth to Glory
Long jumper Luvo Manyonga rose from the depths of drug addiction to the top of the world.
Fighting Together
Crotone soccer manager Davide Nicola helps his side secure a miracle in Seria A safety and then cycles 1,300 km to honor his son, who was killed in a cycling accident.
Eternal Champions
Chapecoense, the team torn apart by a devastating plane crash, inspires the global soccer community with their miracle revival and comeback, none more so than defender and crash survivor Alan Ruschel.
The Longest Hole
Adam Rolston and Ron Rutland complete golf’s longest hole in 80 days across Mongolia.
The first Patron of Laureus was Nelson Mandela. At the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, 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.”
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