China's Gu to host Laureus Awards alongside Djokovic

MADRID, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese freestyle skier Gu Ailing was on Saturday named as one of the hosts for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony to be held in Madrid on Monday.

Gu, the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history, will co-host the ceremony along with tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles.

"To now be part of the show as a host, alongside Novak - someone whose journey and accomplishments I've admired for so long - is a real honor," Gu said.

Gu was named Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year in 2023.

She said the Laureus World Sports Awards are "incredibly special to athletes, because they celebrate our achievements in a way nothing else does - through the respect and understanding of our peers, while inspiring millions of young sports fans all over the world."

"They really are the Athletes' Awards and winning a Laureus in 2023 was a milestone moment in my career."

Among the awards are the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, Team of the Year, Breakthrough of the Year and Comeback of the Year. ■