LONDON: Twenty years ago, one of the most powerful speeches in sporting history was spoken on stage at the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards.
Standing alongside 24 of the world's greatest living sporting legends in Monaco on May 25, 2000, Laureus' first patron Nelson Mandela said: "Sport has the power to change the world."
The former South African president continued: "It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.
"Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination."
One of those on stage that evening was All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick.
Today, Fitzpatrick is chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy and over the past 20 years he has watched Mandela's words being put into action through the work Laureus Sport for Good supports around the world.
"His words that evening transcended sport," he said.
"As we enter our third decade, the role sport can play in society is as powerful as ever, and as an organisation, we are committed to continuing to live out Mandela's legacy for the next twenty years and beyond."
Five-time Laureus Award winner Serena Williams, who met Mandela at the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards, said: "Being there in the crowd when Nelson Mandela was addressing us, was a really great experience.
"The words he said about sport, it doesn't matter what colour you are, you can still be the best."
Four-time Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Novak Dokovic said: "Nelson Mandela is one of those people that always brought the light. His strength to come out and fight for what is right is something that motivates and obviously inspires myself and every person on this planet."