Laureus World Sports Awards: 2020 shortlist

Six Para athletes nominated for the prestigious Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award 16 Jan 2020

Photos of the six Para athletes nominated for the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award

Six Para athletes nominated for the 2020 Laureus Awards

ⒸGetty Images, OIS Photos

By Laureus and IPC

Six of the world's best Para athletes have been nominated for the 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards in the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability category.

The winner will be announced at the Laureus Awards Ceremony in Berlin, Germany, on 17 February.

The nominees are:

ALICE TAI (GBR), SWIMMING

At 20, she was the outstanding woman at the 2019 World Championships in London, winning seven gold medals, five in individual events, including a world record in the 100 metres backstroke S8. She also won the overall World Series.

a female Para swimmer celebrates in the pool — Great Britain's Alice Tai Ⓒ London 2019

DIEDE DE GROOT (NED), WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

Won three of the women’s singles Grand Slam titles in 2019, only losing in the final at Wimbledon. Her win in the French Open enabled her to complete the career Grand Slam of all four titles. During the year she also won all four doubles titles with compatriot Aniek van Koot.

a female wheelchair tennis player hits a forehand — Netherlands' Diede de Groot Ⓒ Getty Images

JETZE PLAT (NED), CYCLING AND TRIATHLON

Celebrated road race and time trial H4 victories at the Para Cycling World Championships on home soil in Netherlands, just one week after winning his fourth consecutive Para triathlon world title.

Dutch Para cyclist Jetze Plat celebrates with his hands up while crossing the finish line — Netherlands' Jetze Plat Ⓒ JB Benavent / UCI

MANUELA SCHAER (SUI), ATHLETICS

Was unbeaten throughout the year in the World Marathon Major Series, winning in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. She also set a new world record of 1:41.47 in the 800m T54 in Nottwil, Switzerland.

Female wheelchair racer Manuela Schaer breaks the tape at the finish line — Wheechair racer Manuela Schaer Ⓒ Getty Images

OKSANA MASTERS (USA), NORDIC SKIING AND CYCLING

Had a superb 2019, winning five gold medals and a silver at the World Para Nordic Skiing Championships, plus the cross-country overall World Cup title. Also won silver medals in the road race and time trial H5 at the Para Cycling Road World Championships.

female sit skier Oksana Masters pushing through the snow — USA's Oksana Masters Ⓒ Getty Images

OMARA DURAND (CUB), ATHLETICS

The T12 sprinter confirmed her status as the world’s fastest female Paralympian in 2019. She extended her winning streak by claiming a hat-trick of titles in the women’s 100, 200 and 400 metres, both at the Parapan American Games in Lima and the World Championships in Dubai.