Top British actor Clive Owen to host Laureus World Sports Awards

LONDON, February 4, 2012 – Hugely popular Golden Globe and BAFTA Award winning actor Clive Owen is to host the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards to be staged in London on Monday (Feb 6).

British TV and film star Owen, best known for films Closer and Children of Men, will be joined by other illustrious stars from the worlds of entertainment and fashion. Also present will be British actress Thandie Newton, who will be a segment host. Her films include Crash, Mission Impossible 2 and Run Fat Boy Run.

Popular Spanish actress Elsa Pataky and American Luke Wilson, brother of Owen Wilson, whose appearances include Legally Blonde, Old School, Bottle Rocket, and The Royal Tenenbaums will be present, along with Israeli actress and popular model Bar Rafaeli.

Hair styling for guests at the Laureus Awards Ceremony is provided by the Daniel Galvin salon in the Corinthia Hotel London.

The 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement, are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar.   The winners are chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 47 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time.  The living legends of sport honouring the great athletes of today.

Among the sporting celebrities attending are:

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports 91 community sports projects in 34 countries around the world, including five in London. Since its inception, Laureus has raised €40 million for projects which have improved the lives of more than one-and-a-half million young people.

The 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards have had the support of Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson.  Mr Cameron said "I am delighted that the Laureus World Sports Awards are in London in 2012.  These Awards celebrate the world's top sportsmen and women and highlight the incredible power of sport to make a real difference to individuals and communities around the world.  I can't think of a better way to kick off our Olympic year."

And Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: "The Laureus World Sports Awards coming to London is one of the highlights of an amazing calendar of events taking place in London in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Having the Awards here shows that London is not only the greatest capital in the world but also the greatest place for sport at all levels – from top sports stars to grassroots sporting champions. Laureus and I share a commitment to making sport a positive part of everyone’s life regardless of age and ability and I am delighted that they have come to London in such an important year."

Laureus combines the Laureus World Sports Awards, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Laureus World Sports Academy to form a unique international sports organisation that uses the inspirational power of sport as a force for good. The Laureus Foundation is a global leader in research, expertise and best practice in supporting grassroots programmes around the world.