This year, Jabeur became the first Arab and African player to reach a women's singles Grand Slam final, and she repeated the feat at the US Open.
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At the Peace and Sport Awards, Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur was named Peace Champion of the Year. Peace and Sport, a Monaco-based charity best known for its White Card campaign, held the Awards ceremony to conclude its International Forum on April 6. This year, Jabeur became the first Arab and African player to reach a women’s singles Grand Slam final, and she repeated the feat at the US Open. Jabeur was described by Peace and Sport as “a source of inspiration for women and youth all over the world.”
Prince Albert II of Monaco, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), presented a special prize to former footballer and current Liberian President George Weah for his commitment to democracy and reconciliation.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) received the special jury prize for its support of Afghan women cyclists, with the governing body assisting in reversing the departure of 165 citizens from the country following the Taliban’s return to power. Athlete Wahida Hussaini and journalist Benafsha Faizi, who were both evacuated as part of the operation, attended the award ceremony in Monaco.
UCI President David Lappartient expressed his gratitude for receiving the award. “It is an honour to have our work recognised by Peace and Sport,” the French official, also an IOC member, said. “The evacuation of members of the Afghan cycling family was possible thanks to the actions and commitment of many people and organisations, and I thank them all.”
“It was incredibly moving to watch these Afghan women compete in their National Championships that started and finished at our UCI World Cycling Centre. The week the athletes all spent together at the centre to prepare for this race was full of emotions and a true demonstration of the role sport can play in bringing people together and helping to heal wounds in troubled time.”
