For over a century, athletes participating in the Olympic Games have taken an oath to compete “in the true spirit of sportsmanship.” This commitment to integrity, respect, and teamwork is celebrated every May 19 on World Fair Play Day, officially established by a United Nations resolution in July 2024.
Based in Paris, the organization overseeing this event, the International Fair Play Committee (IFPC), was founded in 1963 by the famous French tennis player Jean Borotra. The following year, Italian bobsledder Eugenio Monti became the first recipient of a fair play award.
Monti and his bobsled teammate, Sergio Siorapes, were the defending champions at the 1964 Innsbruck Games. When their British rivals faced withdrawal due to a broken axle, Monti offered them a part from his own sled. This act of sportsmanship led to the British duo winning gold, while the Italians settled for bronze.
“This year, we organized a commemorative event in honor of Eugenio Monti, as the Winter Olympics were held in Milan-Cortina and he was from Cortina,” explained Euronews Sunil Sabharwal, president of the IFPC, a volunteer-driven organization.
“We believe there is simply no sport without fair play, sportsmanship, and integrity. Highlighting examples of fair play is crucial,” he added.
“Integrity is crucial today, whether in an international organization, sports federation, or a company,” Sabharwal further stated.
Through a series of events worldwide, including dressing the famous Brussels statue Manneken-Pis in sports attire for a day, the IFPC will showcase its work while seeking to enhance its strategic activities in the coming year.
This includes the addition of two former Olympic athletes to its council, including Emma Terho, a Finnish ice hockey player with three Olympic medals and former chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
“After years of advocating for athletes within the IOC, I know that a victory without integrity is meaningless,” she declared.
“I am honored to join the IFPC Council to ensure that fairness, respect, and the fundamental values of Olympism remain at the core of athletes’ experiences worldwide,” she added.
Long-distance runner Paul Tergat, a multiple Olympic medalist from Kenya, also joins the council, describing fair play as “a universal language.”
“I am incredibly proud to represent the voice of African athletes on the IFPC Council on World Fair Play Day. Together, we will advocate for clean and ethical sport and inspire the next generation on all continents,” said the former world record holder.
The IFPC also announced the launch of the Fair Play Academic Circle, which will serve as a dedicated center for research and education for the international sports community.
This research organization will be led by Professor Sigmund Loland, former rector of the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and a specialist in sports philosophy.
