World tennis number one Roger Federer has won the prestigious Laureus Sportsman of the Year award for a record fourth year in a row.
Fellow tennis number one Justine Henin was named the best Sportswoman 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 a fellow Briton, 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.
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The winners were announced at a gala ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin at St Petersburg's famous Mariinsky Theatre.