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Olympic films triumph at Monaco’s glittering Sportel Awards
MONACO: Monaco pulsed with sporting glamour on 20 October as the 36th Sportel Awards crowned this year’s finest films at the Grimaldi Forum. Two Olympic Channel productions—Personal Best and I’m Carl Lewis—walked away with coveted golden podiums, the ultimate accolade in sports broadcasting.
Personal Best, a South African production by Anant Singh, claimed best thematic documentary. The film shadows eight athletes through their Olympic Games Paris 2024 journey, offering a raw glimpse into medal-chasing drama. I’m Carl Lewis, produced by Noah Media Group for Olympic Channel, secured best biopic honours. The British production explores the uncompromising life of the nine-time Olympic champion whom the International Olympic Committee declared “Sportsman of the Century” in 1999.
Prince Albert II presided over the ceremony, broadcast live on TV Monaco, before a packed Salle Prince Pierre. The prince personally handed athletics legend Marie-José Perec the autobiography award for her book Ma Vie Olympique, whilst motor racing icon Jacky Ickx received the lifetime sport achievement award.
Other winners included NBC Sports, which took best slow motion for Ilia Malinin: Relatable Awe, and Welcome to Wrexham, which won best docu-series. France’s Comme tout le monde claimed best report, whilst Canal+’s La Quête secured best advertising. ESPN Deportes’ Las Amazonas de Yaxunah won the Peace and Sport documentary prize.
Tennis star Henri Leconte presided over a jury featuring handball champion Allison Pineau, cyclist Masomah Ali Zada and footballer Lonsana Doumbouya. Marine Picoulet, executive director of Sportel Awards, called the 2025 edition “one of the most powerful and inspiring” yet.
Both winning Olympic films are currently streaming free on Olympics.com—territorial restrictions permitting. For once, the podium finish comes without the sweat.
GOLDEN PODIUMS
Best Slow Motion Georges Bertellotti
Supported by Comité National Olympique et Sportif Français
Ilia Malinin: Relatable Awe
Eric Hamilton, Max Rahamin, Ryan Yeager, Eric Girgash, Sam Tydings, Jack Felling – NBC Sports
USA
Best Thematic Documentary
Supported by TVMONACO
Personal Best
Ady Walter & Amal Doghmi – Videovision Entertainment – Distant Horizon
South Africa
Best Report
Supported by
Comme tout le monde
Pierre-Etienne Léonard et Mohammed Khouadja – WAA ULTRA
France
Best Biopic
Supported by
I’m Carl Lewis!
Julie Anderson & Chris Hay – Noah Media Group for Olympic Channel
United Kingdom
Best Docu-Series
Supported by Les Barbagiuans de Monaco
Welcome to Wrexham
Bryan Rowland, Josh Drisko and Jeff Luni – NEO Studios / Boardwalk Pictures
United Kingdom
Best Advertising – Christian Blachas
Supported by A.S.Monaco Basket-Roca Team
La Quête
Sébastien Bovier – CANAL+
France
Jury Special Prize
Laure ! Laure ! Laure !
Guillaume Priou & Laurie Delhostal – CHENGYU
France
SPECIAL PRIZES
Peace and Sport Documentary Prize
Las Amazonas De Yaxunah
Alfonso Algara – ESPN Deportes
USA
Sports book Prize Renaud de Laborderie
Supported by Comité Olympique Monégasque
Rainer W. Schlegelmilch – Porsche racing moments
Switzerland
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
