Daniel Simiu, the silver medallist in the World Road Running half marathon, has been named as one of the finalists for the World Athletics international FairPlay award.
Simiu’s nomination stems from a poignant display of sportsmanship during the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia. Engaged in a fierce competition for the gold medal with his compatriot Sebastian Sawe, Simiu demonstrated a remarkable act of fair play.
In a pivotal moment, Simiu, instead of pursuing victory, chose to honour Sawe by allowing him to overtake and claim the coveted gold medal.
This act embodies the fundamental values championed by the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) and World Athletics, emphasizing fair competition, respect, camaraderie, equality, and a dedication to sports free from doping.
Established six decades ago, the CIFP has been a proponent of fair play in sports. This year’s award winner will be announced on World Athletics’ platforms in the buildup to the World Athletics Awards, scheduled for December 11 in Monaco.
Alongside Simiu, other noteworthy finalists for the FairPlay award include Letesenbet Gidey from Ethiopia. Gidey showcased exceptional empathy during the women’s 10,000m event at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Despite securing the silver medal, Gidey rushed to console Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, who had experienced a dramatic fall during the race.
Moreover, British athlete Jessica Warner-Judd was recognized for her outstanding sportsmanship. Regardless of finishing eighth in the 10,000m final at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Warner-Judd stood out by waiting at the finish line to shake hands with the last-placed runner, who had struggled to complete the event, showing her respect and support.
World Athletics previously called upon fans to cast their vote on social media for the most exemplary fair play moment this year. The social media scores, combined with jury votes, determined the three finalists for this esteemed accolade.
