World tennis number one Roger Federer has won the prestigious Laureus Sportsman of the Year award for a record fourth year in a row on Monday.
Fellow tennis number one Justine Heninclaimed the women’s prize for the first time, ahead of last year's winner, world and Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva.
Lewis Hamilton took the Breakthrough of the Year award for his remarkable debut season in Formula One, while long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe was named the Comeback Athlete of the Year.
Rugby world champions South Africa won the Team of the Year award.
The winners were announced at a gala ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin at St Petersburg's famous Mariinsky Theatre.
