Heroes and Legends
In the history of sport there have been many athletes, from great and celebrated champions to lesser-known competitors, who lived and competed in the spirit of fair play. All of them were individuals with different characters but they must also all have had something in common. Their exemplary behaviour and heroic acts have shaped their environment and contributed to the enhancement of social well-being. Their stories tell us a lot about what we could do to build a better world.
Sergey Bubka (Athletics, Russia, Fair Play Trophy for action)
In 1995 World and Olympic Champion pole-vaulter Sergey Bubka helped his South-African rival, Okkert Brits, on two occasions by lending him his equipment. Firstly, on 3 July after learning that Brits equipment had not arrived at the Paris Grand Prix Bubka offered him his poles so that he could compete. Again, on 9 September at the IAAF Grand Prix Final in Munich Bubka repeated his generous act. This time, however, it cost him victory as Brits vaulted a winning 5.95 m while Bubka’s final jump was just under at 5.90 m.
Bud Greenspan (Literature and Sports Arts, USA, Diploma for promotion)
Greenspan is the creator of intimate film portraits of young male and female athletes presenting their individual personalities and introducing them not just as champions but also as human beings who try to overcome challenges bringing honour to themselves, their countries and all of us. Such an athlete was interviewed by Greenspan at the Olympic Games in Mexico.
’In Mexico in 1968 a young Tanzanian athlete, John Stephen Ahkwari, finished the Marathon one and a half hours later than the rest of the field. He was dragging his foot along covered with blood and bandages. I asked him: ’Why did you keep going?’ He said: ’You do not understand. My country did not send me here 8000 km away to start the race but to reach the finish line.’ His words sent a shiver down the spine. I will never forget them… That is what I want to feature in my films.’
Wayne Gretzky (Ice hockey, USA, Trophy for career)
Gretzky retired at the age of 43 on 16 April 1999, after 20 seasons in which he dominated the National Hockey League. Gretzky won 4 Stanley Cup Championships and 10 Art Ross Trophies as NHL’s leading scorer, 9 Hart Trophies as the League’s MVP and two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP. He won five Lady Byng Trophies and made 18 consecutive All-Star Game appearances, securing three All-Star MVP Awards. He is an eight-time First All-Star Team Member and seven-time Second All-Star Team Member. He holds virtually every offensive record in the NHL. He has been named the fifth greatest athlete among North American athletes by a Sport Century Jury (of 48 members). Only Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, Muhammed Ali and Jim Brown preceeded him. Under his leadership the Canadian team won the Olympic gold medal for the first time in 50 years at Salt Lake City in 2002. He received the Olympic Order which is the highest honour bestowed by the International Olympic Committee. Gretzky is also active in the community dedicating much of his time to charitable endeavours. He is Honorary Member of the Board of Trustees of Olympic Aid and also Honorary President of Charitable Endeavours for Children. He has created the Wayne Gretzky Foundation to help disadvantaged young people who would like to play hockey.
Miguel Indurain (Cycling, Spain, Trophy for career)
He was the first rider to win the Tour de France five times in a row from 1991 to 1995. Born on 15 July 1964, he emerged at 22 when he won the most important cycling stage competition, the Tour of the European Community (1986). Always ready to learn, he gradually worked his way through to top positions and helped his team leader, Pedro Delgado. He became Olympic Champion in 1996 (Atlanta) and he won many races during his long career. In 1993 he missed winning the World Chamionships as he considered fair play more important than victory. He retired from professional cycling at the age of 33. He was the model of dignity and fair play during the course of his entire career; he remained loyal to his team from the beginning to the end.
L’Equipe (Newspaper, France, Diploma for promotion)
L’Equipe has for many years supported the campaigns of the International Committee for Fair Play and regularly published the golden rosters and reported on award ceremonies.
FIFA (Football, Trophy for action)
For many years the Federation showed an exceptional attitude in favour of fair play by modifying a number of rules and their interpretation so as to provide more severe sanctions against unfair and violent behaviour. Seminars for referees were organised to illustrate these new changes which were highly successful. In particular at the World Cup in the USA in 1994, FIFA generated a great atmosphere characterised by good sportsmanship among both players and fans.
The people of Norway (XVII Olympic Winter Games, Lillehammer, Trophy for action)
By cheering athletes of all nationalities and applauding less-than-lucky athletes for their merits, the people of Norway distinguished themselves. In addition, in the spirit of the Olympic Charter The Lillehammer Olympic Aid raised about 6 million US dollars in local campaigns and gathered thousands of volunteers from all over the country to help underprivileged populations and victims of war. Showing great sportsmanship the Norwegian people contributed to the overall success of the Games on all fronts - sports, cultural, environmental and humanitarian.
Spectators of the Africa’s Nations Cup (Football, Senegal, Diploma for action)
The foreign sports press highlighted the sporting behaviour of the Senegalese spectators who not only encouraged their own team but also cheered their opponents.
