The Olympic Games represent much more than the pursuit of medals. They are a celebration of universal values such as respect, excellence, and friendship. In line with this tradition, May 19 marks the first celebration of World Fair Play Day, officially established by the United Nations General Assembly in July 2024. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken this opportunity to highlight how sportsmanship has been a fundamental pillar of the Olympic Movement throughout its history.

Since 1920, Olympic athletes have sworn to compete with true sporting spirit during the Opening Ceremony. This commitment has inspired countless acts of nobility across various editions of the Games, reinforcing the idea that fair play is not just an ideal value, but a constant practice that elevates sport to its highest expression.

Unforgettable fair play moments at the Olympic Games

At Paris 2024, Canadian gymnast Ellie Black was recognized with the Fair Play Award after consoling her French teammate Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos in a moment that touched the world. Black emphasized that sport goes beyond results, and that these moments of mutual support are the essence of competition. This gesture adds to other memorable episodes, like those from Tokyo 2020, when the women’s skateboarding finalists lifted up their teammate Misugu Okamoto after a fall, earning collective praise for their solidarity.

Olympic history also includes gestures that transcended competition, such as Nikki Hamblin at Rio 2016, who stopped to help her rival Abbey D’Agostino after a fall, or Norwegian coach Bjørnar Håkensmoen at Turin 2006, who offered his equipment to a direct opponent. Even at the first modern Winter Games, Eugenio Monti became a symbol of fair play by helping his rivals in Innsbruck 1964, an act that earned him the first-ever Pierre de Coubertin World Trophy. These actions exemplify how the Olympic spirit remains alive and relevant, and they are the reason why World Fair Play Day is now part of the global sports calendar.