Daniel Ebenyo graceful salute earns him finalist spot for International Fair Play Award

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ATHLETICS Daniel Ebenyo graceful salute earns him finalist spot for International Fair Play Award

Festus Chuma 15:41 - 07.11.2023

Daniel Ebenyo is a finalist for the Fair Play Award for his sportsmanship at the World Athletics Road Running Championships.

10,000m silver medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games Daniel Ebenyo has been named a finalist for the prestigious International Fair Play Award, a part of the World Athletics Awards 2023.

Ebenyo, who captured the hearts of many during the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, is in the spotlight for his commendable gesture of saluting his teammate, Sebastian Sawe, as he surpassed him to claim gold.

This year's nominations for the International Fair Play Award were unique as they involved fan participation through social media, enabling sports enthusiasts worldwide to have a say in recognizing acts of integrity and sportsmanship.

Following this interactive voting phase, the scores from social media were merged with the deliberations of a select jury to finalize the top three contenders.

Ebenyo's remarkable act occurred during the climactic moments of the men’s half marathon in Riga, where he was leading the pack before Sawe overtook him.

Instead of showing disappointment, Ebenyo saluted his compatriot in a moment that epitomized the spirit of fair play and camaraderie.

World Athletics highlighted this instance, noting the Kenyan athlete's graceful acknowledgment of his teammate's victory.

Ethiopian runner Letesenbet Gidey, who showed compassion by consoling Dutch runner Sifan Hassan after a fall, and Britain’s Jessica Warner-Judd will also contest for the award for her gesture of sportsmanship in waiting to congratulate the last finisher, join Ebenyo as fellow finalists.

Warner-Judd, who, after her eighth-place finish in the 10,000m final at the same championships, distinguished herself by being the only athlete to wait and personally congratulate the last-placed runner — a simple act that resonated deeply with the values the award seeks to celebrate.

These finalists were chosen from a shortlist curated by a jury comprising members of the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) and World Athletics, reflecting the public's input.

The CIFP, a body committed to fostering the principles of fair play for six decades, champions the ethics of fair competition, respect, friendship, team spirit, equality, and doping-free sports.

Their alliance with World Athletics dates back to the 2003 Championships in Paris, with ten awards conferred since that collaboration began.

The announcement of this year's award winner is highly anticipated and will be made public via World Athletics’ channels as the excitement builds towards the grand World Athletics Awards ceremony scheduled to be held in Monaco on December 11.  

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