That the Olympics are the ultimate test of human endurance, skill and sporting spirit was once again eloquent when the Laureus World Sports Awards were declared in Monaco.

Sprint king Usain Bolt of Jamaica won a record fourth Laureus Sportsman of the year award while US Gymnast Simone Biles won the women’s version of the sports Oscars in a glittering ceremony hosted by British actor Hugh Grant.

I asked Michael Johnson, ‘why did you retire when you were on top?’. He said – he had done everything he had wanted to do in athletics so there was no reason to stay in the sport. Now I understand what he means.

I am speechless, its an honour to receive this award from Nadia Comaneci who I looked up to for so many years. This award isn’t only for me but also for all the other nominees in my category.

The Laureus awards gala was returning to Monaco after a gap of 17 years. The first edition was held in the principality in 2000. Prince Albert and Princess Charlene were the chief guests on a night when a galaxy of stars lit up the wind-swept French Riviera off the Mediterranean.

Laureus World Sports Awards not only brought together the sporting legends — past, present and future — on the planet earth, but feted the Olympic Refugee Team, the athletes of which conquered odds in their strife-torn nations to compete in Rio 2016.

Laureus also reserved an award for the Sportsperson of the Year with a disability. This year, it was won by Italian Beatrice Vio, the only quadruple amputee in international wheelchair fencing.

Beatrice, who won gold in the Rio Paralympics, got the loudest cheer in a packed hall at the Salle des Etoiles Sporting Monte Carlo, the venue of the awards.

While Phelps, the greatest Olympian swimmer of all times, won the Comeback of the Year Award, Nico Rosberg the reigning World Formula One Champion  won the Breakthough of the Year Award. Rosberg lives in Monaco and has a hat-trick of F1 race wins in Monte Carlo.

The award ceremony was just perfectly planned. Bolt, who equalled Roger Federer with his fourth Laureus trophy, was presented his silverware by former Olympic and world champion Michael Johnson. Biles got her trophy from the best-known gymnast in history, Nadia Comaneci.

Bolt, who will never be seen in an Olympics again, had a telling message for youngsters. The showman, who did his signature ‘thunderbolt’ pose during a group photo with other winners, said:

“Anything is possible. Never thought I will win this (Rio) gold…work hard and keep pushing.”

In the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, a nominee alongside Bolt, football got its share of the spotlight when Leicester City were given a special Spirit of Sport award for their stunning Premier League win last season as 5,000-1 outsiders. The award was presented to Leicester manager Claudio Rannieri by former England boss Fabio Capello.

There was lot of wine, music and cheer. With their wives in tow, the Phelps, Rosbergs and Coulthards partied into the wee hours. Another edition of the Laureus awards thus came to a grand finish.

Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg became the 2016 Formula One world champion despite his team-mate and title rival Lewis Hamilton winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who needed Rosberg to finish below third in the race to become the world champion, drove deliberately slowly, defying team orders, in an attempt to bring other drivers into the battle.

Rosberg was under pressure from Sebastian Vettel but managed to hold the Ferrari driver to claim the second spot. Max Verstappen came in fourth, Daniel Ricciardo followed his Red Bull team-mate in fifth.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was sixth ahead of Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez, helping Force India easily secured their fourth position in the constructors’ championship. Williams’ Felipe Massa and McLaren’s Fernando Alonso completed the top 10.

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Rosberg kept his cool throughout the race despite the pressure from Vettel, but said it had been tough.

“That definitely wasn’t the most enjoyable race I’ve ever had!” he admitted after the race, as quoted by www.formula1.com.

“With Max early on, and then with these guys coming at the end, it definitely wasn’t fun. I’m just really glad it’s over!”

Hamilton shook hands with Rosberg, who dethroned him as the F1 champion, and they hugged on the podium. “Winning the championships is a great feeling,” Hamilton said as he congratulated his team mate, “and I’m looking forward to fighting with him for it again next year.”

IANS