Schumacher Named Winner of Prince of Asturias Award for Sports 2007

Topics:  Michael Schumacher

VOA Sports
September 5, 2007

Seven-time Formula One driving champion Michael Schumacher of Germany has been named this year's winner of the Prince of Asturias award for sports.

The retired 38-year-old German, who finished his career with Ferrari in 2006, was chosen out of 18 candidates from 10 countries. Among those considered were Russian pole vault world champion Yelena Isinbayeva and tennis aces Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland.

The award, given by Spain's Prince of Asturias Foundation, named for Crown Prince Felipe,l lives.

The jury noted Schumacher's humanitarian work for non-governmental organizations and his donations, such as for the tsunami in Asia in December 2004.

Last year's Prince of Asturias Award went to the Spanish men's national basketball team, which had won the world championship.

The sporting award is one of eight handed out by the foundation in areas such as science, art, literature and international relief work. The one given to Schumacher is the last of the yearly series.

Each winner receives about $45,000 and a Joan Miro sculpture in a ceremony in late October in the northern city of Oviedo, capital of the Asturias region.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.