1’111’111 Swiss Francs
The Laureus Charity Night , a gala event whose donations are gathered for helping youth through sport, was held last night in Zurich. The auction included two veritable gems – an IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition „Laureus Sport for Good“ (Ref. IW504502) and a Mercedes SL300 – and reached the incredible amount of CHF 1’111’111.
The theme, this year, was family. Two days before the gala I had the honour to meet the new beauty which became part of the Foundation family.
Marc Sway during the gala evening. Photo: Getty images
Who is the New Beauty?
One of the main social projects of Laureus is called Cavallo and is intended to help Swiss disadvantaged children or adolescents.
Right before the gala I had the chance to go to Rapperswil and take pictures of Ivan Knie (of the Swiss National Circus Knie ) and the wonderful horse Laureus, just donated by Fredy Knie (Ivan’s grandfather) and Rolf Theiler (President of Laureus Switzerland until April 2019) to the Circus Knie for its upcoming 100th Anniversary, next year.
It was a typical grey November day, quite cold. The moment Ivan and Laureus arrived, the sun came out and a magic light shone. The beauty of Ivan and Laureus having a slow ride on the lake was striking. The harmony of nature and of those who appreciate it will never fail to delight me.
Ivan Knie and Laureus in Rapperswil
Laureus is the new addiction to the Knie and the Laureus families
A Star Evening
Back to Zurich, the event was attended by about 650 personalities of sport, finance, politics and show business. Among the guests Fabian Cancellara, Edwin Moses, Sarah Meier, Nadia Comaneci, Mario Gyr, Marcel Hug, Katarina Witt and Edith Wolf-Hunkeler. So many people I admire and deeply respect for their sport achievements and for helping this foundation. It’s always fun to see the adrenaline-filled auction and then relax with a dance and a laugh among champions.
With Sarah Meier and Nadia Comaneci
With Edwin Moses
Mario Gyr – perhaps the most photogenic of the whole evening!
Watch: IWC Da Vinci Moonphase 36. Dress: Brusnika
With Fabian Cancellara
The Mercedes SL300 auctioned at the Laureus Gala
Backstage with Nadia Comaneci
About Laureus
The Foundation is currently working with 60’000 children and adolescents, and 10’000 young people. The work is based on offering different sport activities and events in order to help those who have disadvantages.
In what was are the children and adolescents disadvantaged?
- Difficult social and/or economic family circumstances
- Physical, psychological or mental disabilities
- Abuse or other trauma
What exactly is the power of sport?
- Sport instils self-confidence, a sense of individual responsibility and social competence
- Sport helps young people to stay healthy, both physically andpsychologically
- The primary focus is on exercise, personal development and integration
- Social-pedagogical support instils a feeling of self-esteem and a sense of community