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.”
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
Friends recording on a camcorder.Image via Canva - Photo by capturenow
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.