TORONTO, Canada, CMC – Jamaica’s triple Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt is the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after his historic performances at the Beijing Olympics last year.

The 22-year-old sprinter was presented with the award yesterday.

“I am delighted to win this prestigious award and would like to thank everyone who voted for me,” said Bolt.

Among those Bolt defeated for the top prize were multiple Olympic swimming gold medallist Michael Phelps, of the USA, Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal, Manchester United’s Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, and Britain’s Formula One driving champion Lewis Hamilton. In Beijing last year, Bolt became the first man to win both the 100 and 200-metre sprint double plus the 4×100-metre relay gold medals with world record performances at the same Games. He won the 100 metres in 9.69 seconds, the 200 in 19.30 and linked up with his Jamaican team-mates Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Asafa Powell to win the sprint relay in 37.10 seconds.