World Fair Play Day
May 19, Monday

History of the holiday
International Fair Play Day was established by the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) to honor and promote the values of fair play in sports. The day was first observed in 2014 and has since become an important occasion within the global sports community. It serves as a reminder that fair play is an essential part of the sports experience and contributes to a positive atmosphere in sports.
Goals of International Fair Play Day
– Promote the values of honesty, respect, and integrity in sports
– Encourage athletes to follow ethical conduct and demonstrate sportsmanship
– Emphasize the importance of creating a positive environment in competitive sports
– Inspire spectators and fans to support athletes based on effort and character, not just victories
– Raise awareness about the negative effects of cheating, doping, and unfair practices in sports
Why fair play matters
– Fair play fosters respect among athletes, teams, and spectators, ensuring that sport remains a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone
– It encourages healthy competition where focus is on skill, effort, and sportsmanship rather than winning at all costs
– Promoting fair play helps reduce the prevalence of cheating, doping, and unethical behavior in sports
– It gives athletes the chance to demonstrate true character and integrity, both on and off the field
– Fair play contributes to building a more inclusive and supportive sports culture where everyone feels valued and respected
How the day is celebrated
– Organizing sporting events and activities that highlight the values of fair play and sportsmanship
– Holding workshops, lectures, and discussions on the importance of ethics in sports
– Honoring athletes who have shown exceptional sportsmanship and fair play
– Encouraging sports organizations to implement and uphold rules that promote fair competition
– Launching social media campaigns to raise awareness about fair play and its importance in sports
Key messages of International Fair Play Day
– Winning is important, but so is the way we compete
– True sportsmanship means honesty, respect, and fair play, regardless of the outcome
– Athletes are role models, and their behavior on and off the field influences the values of future generations
– Fair play is essential to keep sport a source of inspiration, unity, and positive change in society
– The spirit of fair play should be present at all levels of sport, from amateur to professional
Conclusion
International Fair Play Day reminds us that sport is not just about victories and records, but about the values that make it meaningful. This day emphasizes the importance of fair play as a foundation for creating an environment where athletes can compete with honor, respect, and dignity. Celebrating sportsmanship and ethical behavior helps build a culture of honesty and integrity in sports, inspiring people around the world to embrace the true spirit of competition.
World Fair Play Day in other years
World Fair Play Day in other countries
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bonaire
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- CAR
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Cayman Islands
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- DR Congo
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- East Timor
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guernsey
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Italy
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jersey
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Martinique
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestine
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Reunion
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Helena
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Saint-Barthelemy
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Sint Maarten
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- St. Pierre and Miquelon
- Sudan
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tokelau
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Tuvalu
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- UAE
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Wallis and Futuna
- Western Sahara
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe