On the occasion of Olympic Day, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic family Wednesday celebrated the 2010 Women and Sport Awards.

Five continental trophies and one world trophy were given to exceptional personalities who all have made a significant difference to boosting the development, participation and involvement of women and girls in sport around the world.

The official ceremony was held at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, in the presence of IOC President Jacques Rogge; Anita DeFrantz, IOC member and Chairperson of the IOC Women and Sport Commission; the members of the IOC Women and Sport Commission; IOC Executive Board members; and guests invited to take part in the Olympic Day celebrations.

The winners of the 2010 Women and Sport Awards - five women and one man - include former Olympic medalists, sports leaders and political decision-makers.

National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Federations ( IFs) and Continental Associations were invited to submit candidatures, and the winners were selected by the IOC Women and Sport Commission. This year, the trophies were awarded as follows:

IOC World Trophy: Erica Terpstra (Netherlands)

IOC Trophy for Africa: Germaine Manguet (Guinea)

IOC Trophy for the Americas: Leslie McDonald (Canada)

IOC Trophy for Asia: Yuko Arimori (Japan)

IOC Trophy for Europe: Grete Waitz (Norway)

IOC Trophy for Oceania: Susan Simcock (New Zealand)

Addressing the winners and the audience, Rogge said: "It is fitting that our celebration of Olympic Day this year includes the presentation of the 2010 IOC Women and Sport Awards. For all the progress that society has made, we still need to improve the access of girls and women to sport around the world. The recipients of the Women and Sport Awards are role models who are opening doors to gender equality on the field of play, within coaching staff and in sports administration."

Speaking at the ceremony, Anita DeFrantz said: "Olympic Day is about getting everybody to move and about moving together - regardless of age, athletic ability and gender. It is meant to be a truly inclusive event that can be celebrated by everybody, everywhere. Today's award winners have all embraced this philosophy."