Darren Kenny (Cycling - Great Britain), Esther Vergeer (Wheelchair Tennis - the Netherlands), Michael Teuber (Cycling - Germany) and Sarah Storey (Cycling - Great Britain) are the four European nominees for the prestigious award. They are joined on the shortlist by Brazilian swimmer Daniel Dias.

In addition, Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius (South Africa) has been nominated in the category World Breakthrough of the Year 2008. The winners will be announced at the Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony on 18 February in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The Laureus World Sports Awards celebrate sporting excellence across all disciplines and all continents. Awards are bestowed in a range of categories, including World Sportsman and World Sportswoman of the Year, World Team of the Year, World Breakthrough of the Year, World Comeback of the Year, World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability and World Action Sportsperson of the Year.

Click here to visit the Laureus Academy web site for further information.