19 May marks World Fair Play Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2024 to recognise the universal value of fair play, rooted in the Olympic spirit and fundamental not only in sport but also in society.
On this occasion, the Presidents of the International Fair Play Committee (IFPC), Panathlon International and the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) will come together in Brussels to celebrate this important international event.
Manneken Pis, the city’s symbol and an iconic ambassador of Brussels folklore, will also pay tribute to the Day by wearing a costume dedicated to Fair Play.
Fair Play goes far beyond the world of sport: it is a universal value of respect, fairness, responsibility and goodwill, which concerns every person and every aspect of social life.
A new Manifesto has been drawn up for the occasion, through which the organisers aim to reaffirm the fundamental principles of Fair Play and spread its message internationally. Everyone is invited to sign and share it, thereby helping to strengthen a culture based on respect, loyalty and responsibility.
Panathlon International invites all Clubs to mark this day through press releases, meetings, initiatives and moments of reflection, bearing in mind that Fair Play represents one of the fundamental pillars of the Panathlon identity.
As International President Giorgio Chinellato emphasised:
‘Fair Play is one of the fundamental values of Panathlon International; it is a guiding principle for approaching sport and life with fairness, respect and responsibility. On 19 May, on the occasion of World Fair Play Day, we celebrate its deepest meaning and reaffirm our commitment to promoting it in every context.’
