Daniel Gyurta Receives International Fair Play Award at UNESCO

Daniel Gyurta is the recipient of the 2013 International Fair Play prize, awarded at a meeting of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in respect of his medal tribute of a fallen fellow breaststroker: Alexander Dale Oen.

Gyurta won the 200 meter breaststroke at the 2012 London Olympics, and broke a World Record in the process. After the race, Gyurta would have a replica of his gold medal created and would give it to the family of Norwegian Alexander Dale Oen. Dale Oen, the defending World Champion in the 100 meter breaststroke, passed away earlier that year while at a training camp in Arizona.

This award is given on the following three principles:

1) For an act of fair play by complying not only with the written, but also with the unwritten rules of sport;

2) For a general attitude of sportsmanship throughout a sports career marked by an outstanding and constant spirit of fair play;

3) For an activity aiming to promote fair play such as the organization of national or local campaigns, lectures, books, articles or reports in the media.

Among other honorees:

• Britain’s Lord Sebastian Coe received the “Jean Borotra” trophy for a Carrer and a Life in the Spirit of Fair Play;
• Carlos Goncalves of Portugal received the “Willi Daume” trophy for Promotion of Fair Play; and
• Paralympian Jochen Wollmert of Germany received the “Pierre de Coubertin” Trophy for an Act of Fair Play