Tokyo, Japan, December 30, 2021: Skateboarding made a big impact on its Olympic Games debut in Tokyo last summer – and the sport has been rewarded by winning a major international accolade dedicated to fair play and sportsmanship.
The IOC-recognised International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) has given the Tokyo 2020 Fair Play Award to participants in the women’s skateboarding park finals for lifting the reigning world champion Misugu Okamoto of Japan on their shoulders after she crashed in the finals.
The athletes honoured are: Sakura Yosozumi (JPN), Kokona Hiraki (JPN), Sky Brown (GBR), Poppy Olsen (AUS), Bryce Wettstein (USA), Dora Varella (BRA) and Yndiara Asp (BRA).
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Congratulations to the skateboard athletes. The fair play prize is well deserved. Sport teaches us to aspire for excellence in all our activities - living in peace, friendship and solidarity with our neighbours, to respect ourselves and others and to live by the spirit of fair play in everything we do.
“Sport is about more than just competition. It is always about the values of sport and carrying these ideals into the world. This is what we have seen here at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.”
The CIFP, established in 1963, has been recognising extraordinary acts of sportsmanship at the Olympics since Beijing 2008.
Dozens of nominations were received from National Olympic Committees, International Federations, athletes and fans from around the world via the CIFP’s social media and digital channels. A shortlist was webcast during the World Fair Play Day on September 7.
Source: http://www.fairplayinternational.org