Receives Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award in Shanghai on 11 February 2015.
On 11 February 2015, in Shanghai, Tatyana McFadden was announced as the winner of the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award for 2014.[3] The prestigious global honor recognized her extraordinary achievements, including her historic marathon Grand Slam and multi-gold World Championships performance.
The Laureus award is one of the highest international accolades in sport, decided by a jury of sporting legends. McFadden’s selection placed a female wheelchair racer at the center of a stage often dominated by able-bodied and male athletes.[3][12] It signaled a growing acknowledgment within mainstream sports culture of the significance of women’s Para athletics achievements.
Historically, her recognition by Laureus advanced visibility for disabled women in global award ecosystems and underscored the legitimacy of Paralympic and marathon accomplishments as worthy of top-tier honors.[12][15] For young women with disabilities, seeing McFadden celebrated alongside world-famous athletes from all disciplines served as a powerful affirmation that their sporting ambitions could lead not only to medals but also to broad cultural recognition. The award also strengthened her platform as an advocate, enabling her to speak more forcefully on issues of access, equity, and inclusion in sport.[9][14]