World Athletics named 3 finalists for its 2026 International Fair Play Award in a release dated 6 November. The shortlist spans a Sydney Marathon act of assistance, a pole vault rivalry in Zurich and a rescue at the Boston Marathon.
How the finalists reached the shortlist
World Athletics and the International Fair Play Committee invited nominations from fans around the world before a jury reviewed the suggested moments. The newly announced finalists are Irine Cheptai; Mondo Duplantis and Emmanouil Karalis together; and Boston runners Aaron Beggs and Robson De Oliveira. The award recognises conduct shown during competition rather than a race result or championship placing.
Cheptai shared a drink with Australian Paralympian Michael Roeger during the Sydney Marathon. World Athletics says Roeger, who was born without the lower part of his right arm, had missed four drink stations because their tables and bottles were on the right side of the course. Cheptai offered him her drink late in the race. Roeger subsequently improved his own para-athletics marathon world record.
Duplantis and Karalis are shortlisted together for the respect they show while competing against one another in pole vault. World Athletics pointed to their Zurich Diamond League meeting: Duplantis achieved an outdoor world lead and Karalis set a Greek record. Their nomination concerns the relationship between rivals, rather than a single act of help during a race.
At the Boston Marathon, Beggs stopped when Ajay Haridasse fell near the finish and struggled to stand. De Oliveira then joined Beggs, and they helped Haridasse across the line. World Athletics quoted North Down Athletic Club in Northern Ireland, of which Beggs is a member: "What a gentleman! What a phenomenal sportsman."
Sydney result adds context to Cheptai's act
SportsRivo checked World Athletics' official Sydney Marathon results and found Cheptai as runner-up in the women's race. She assisted Roeger while pursuing her own podium finish, giving the nomination a competitive context beyond the incident itself. The results sheet records the marathon in Sydney, Australia.
The International Fair Play Committee has worked with World Athletics before this shortlist. World Athletics says their first collaboration came at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris. This year's jury includes former athletes Valerie Adams, Sally Pearson and Paula Radcliffe, alongside representatives of the two organisations and the previous award winner.
What the shortlist changes
- Fans can now vote for a preferred moment through World Athletics' social media channels.
- The jury's votes will be combined with the public vote to decide the winner.
- Assistance in two marathons and mutual respect in pole vault are being considered within the same award.
When the winner will be announced
World Athletics says the fan vote closes on 16 November. The winner will be announced before the World Athletics Awards on Sunday 29 November; no winner has yet been named.