Fair Play Awards Come Full Circle in the First Recipient’s Homeland at Milano Cortina 2026
Milano Cortina, 05 Feb 2026 – The International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) is proud to announce the launch of the Fair Play Awards for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
This prestigious initiative, in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), continues a long-standing tradition of honoring athletes who demonstrate extraordinary acts of sportsmanship, integrity, and solidarity on the world’s greatest sporting stage.
This year’s edition holds a special historical significance. The very first Fair Play Award was bestowed 62 years ago upon Italian bobsleigh legend Eugenio Monti at the Innsbruck 1964 Olympic Winter Games. Monti famously handed a replacement bolt to his British rivals, a generous, unselfish act that made their gold-medal victory all the more fabulous. Monti went on to win bronze — a result that became the most wonderful moment of all, defined not by the medal’s color but by the sportsmanship behind it.
Bringing the Fair Play Awards to Italy for Milano Cortina 2026 represents a symbolic "homecoming" for the values Monti championed.
CIFP President Sunil Sabharwal said:
"There is no sport without fair play. We are delighted to collaborate once again with the IOC to highlight the concept of “victory beyond medal”. Italy is the birthplace of our first-ever winner, making this edition particularly emotional. We encourage everyone—from the athletes in the village to the fans at home—to help us identify those moments that define the true Olympic spirit."
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said:
"The Olympic Games are about more than just competition and winning; they are a celebration of humanity and the spirit of solidarity. Fair play is the heartbeat of the Olympic Movement. As we return to the mountains of Italy, we are reminded of Eugenio Monti’s incredible legacy. I look forward to seeing how the athletes of Milano Cortina 2026 will inspire the world with their sportsmanship and respect for one another."
Nominations Now Open Starting today, nominations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Fair Play Award are officially open. The search for the ultimate act of sportsmanship is a global effort, and entries are invited from National Olympic Committees, International Federations, athletes and coaches, and the public watching the Games – onsite, and globally.
Selection Process Following the conclusion of the Games, a jury composed of representatives from the CIFP, the IOC, and members of the international media will shortlist the most impactful moments. The global public will then be invited to vote for the winners, with the final results announced shortly after.
Nominations can be submitted via the dedicated link/qr code, via email at nominations@fairplayinternational.org, through the CIFP website, or by using the hashtag #FairPlayMilanoCortina2026 on CIFP social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn) and IOC’s (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn).]
About the CIFP
The International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) is an IOC-recognized organization founded in 1963 by UNESCO and leading international sports governing bodies. For over 60 years, the CIFP has served as the global guardian of sporting ethics, honoring those who prioritize integrity and the human spirit over victory at any cost. Through its prestigious World Fair Play Awards and global educational initiatives, the CIFP ensures that the fundamental values of sport—respect, friendship, and fair play—are preserved for future generations.
For more information, visit www.fairplayinternational.org.
About the IOC
The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit, civil, non-governmental, international organisation made up of volunteers which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 4.7 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.
