World's greatest sports stars honoured in Abu Dhabi

Jamaican track genius Usain Bolt and American tennis star Serena Williams won top honours last night at the Laureus World Sports Awards held at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

Sprinter Bolt was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for the second straight time, after continuing his amazing blitz on sprinting in 2009 when he won three more gold medals at the World Championships.

US tennis star Williams won her second Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award, seven years after her first, following Grand Slam victories in Australia and at the Wimbledon. It was her third Laureus Award in total, after also winning the Laureus Comeback Award in 2007.

The names of the winners were announced at a televised ceremony, which also celebrated the first ten years in the life of Laureus, and was attended by global figures from the world of sport and entertainment.

The 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during the period January 1 - December 31, 2009, are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar. The winners are chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy, made up of 46 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time.

Formula One was a big winner in Abu Dhabi as Britain's Jenson Button won the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award following his first World Drivers' Championship, and his Brawn GP Formula One Team was named Laureus World Team of the Year.

Belgium's Kim Clijsters won the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award after her remarkable return to tennis when she won the US Open in only her third tournament following a two-year absence.

There was a warm reception at the Awards Ceremony for South African swimmer Natalie du Toit, who is breaking down the barriers between disabled and able-bodied sport, as she received the Laureus Disability Award. While Australia's three-times World Surfing Champion Stephanie Gilmore was named Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year.