Alonso nominated for world sports award

World Champion Fernando Alonso has made it to the shortlist for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. The Spanish Renault F1 driver is up against seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, tennis ace Roger Federer, MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho and golf star Tiger Woods.

A panel of 737 sports writers and broadcasters from 99 countries selected the nominees for the annual award. The winner will be announced by the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, 42 of the greatest living sportsmen and women.

Emerson Fittipaldi, who was the youngest ever world champion before Alonso broke his record last year, is on the Laureus jury.
“My record was going to be broken one day and I am delighted that it is a real racer like Alonso who has done it. If he can continue finding a car to drive as competitive as the one he is in now, then he can continue winning world championships.”

The winner will be announced in a ceremony in Barcelona on 22 May.