2001 LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS AWARDS
--------------------------------

The 2001 Laureus World Sports Awards, an all-star event featuring some of the biggest names
in sports, were held Tuesday night in Monte Carlo. Though no gymnasts took home any trophies 
this year, gymnastics was well-represented at the opening show. Following a kick-off 
performance by the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, and prior to a solo by country music star
LeeAnn Rimes, Romanians Simona Amanar, Maria Olaru, Andreea Raducan, and Sabina Cojocar
performed a gymnastics exhibition in front of a sold out hall.

The awards show, unofficially known as the Oscars for the sports world, was hosted by 
actor-dancer Gregory Hines and supermodel Heidi Klum. Presenters at the show included Prince 
Albert of Monaco, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jerry Lewis, Jean Claude van Damme, 
Michael Johnson, Katarina Witt, Dan Marino, Edwin Moses, and Boris Becker.

Golf superstar Tiger Woods won Sportsman of the Year, and Australian track and field star 
Cathy Freeman won Sportswoman of the Year. The World Sports Awards cover the 12 months until 
the end of February.

At the 2000 World Sports Awards, gymnastics' Alexei Nemov and Amanar won male and female 
Athlete of the Year, respectively, for the athletic category, following their Olympic 
success. Nemov and fellow Russian Olympic gold medallist Yelena Zamolodchikova were also in 
attendance in Monte Carlo.