Brigid Kosgei in race for Laureus Sports Awards

Athletics - London Marathon - London, Britain - October 4, 2020 Kenya's Brigid Kosgei celebrates as she wins the elite women's race of the London Marathon [Pool via REUTERS/Richard Heathcote]

World record-holders Joshua Cheptegei, Mondo Duplantis and Brigid Kosgei are among the nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards.

Due to the continuing global pandemic, this year the Laureus Awards will not be presented at an open ceremony. Instead, the winners will be announced in May as part of a virtual awards event.

The awards will reflect a unique year of sport when athletes used their platforms to instill hope, influence change in society and prove that sport can change the world for the better.

While celebrating the highest sporting achievements, this year’s Laureus Awards will also honour those whose actions in 2020 transcended the track, court or field of play.

World Marathon runner and 'It Can Be ' Brand Ambassador Brigid Kosgei during unveiling of the partnership with Stanbic bank as a contribution to Women empowerment. Feb 4, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kosgei raced just three times in 2020, but the Kenyan distance runner won the highest-quality marathon of the year. The 27-year-old successfully defended her London Marathon title in 2:18:58, winning by more than three minutes.

“Brigid is very consistent,” said multiple Olympic champion Michael Johnson, a Laureus Academy Member of Kosgei. “Everyone knows her accomplishments.”