Irine Cheptai in contention for Fair Play Award after Sydney gesture

Kenyan athlete Irine Cheptai is among the three finalists for the International Fair Play Award 2026, announced by World Athletics on Friday 6 November. Her nomination recognises the water she shared with Australian Paralympic athlete Michael Roeger during the Sydney Marathon.

Cheptai’s gesture is up against the nominations of Mondo Duplantis and Emmanouil Karalis and of two runners from the Boston Marathon. Fans can vote until 16 November; their choice will be combined with the jury’s votes.

Water for Roeger at the Sydney Marathon

Roeger, who was born without the lower part of his right arm, was unable to use four refreshment stations because the tables and bottles were positioned on the right-hand side of the course. At around 30 km, Cheptai offered him her drink to help him continue.

The Australian finished the race in 2:18:36 and broke his own T46 marathon world record.

The other nominees: Zurich and Boston

The nomination of Duplantis and Karalis recognises how they combine competition with friendship and mutual respect. At the Zurich Diamond League meeting, Duplantis cleared 6.25 metres, the world outdoor best, while Karalis cleared 6.20 metres to set a Greek record.

The third nomination recognises Aaron Beggs and Robson De Oliveira for helping Ajay Haridasse at the Boston Marathon. After almost three hours of racing, with the finish line in sight, Haridasse fell and could not get up. Beggs was the first to stop and help him up, and De Oliveira joined in when he was still struggling to stay on his feet.

Both gave up their personal bests and put their arms around Haridasse to help him cross the finish line. Beggs belongs to North Down Athletic Club in Northern Ireland.

Voting and winner announcement

Fans can choose the moment they consider most representative of fair play via World Athletics’ social media channels. The winner will be announced before the World Athletics Awards, which take place on 29 November.

The International Fair Play Committee and World Athletics invited fans from around the world to nominate fair play moments. A jury reviewed the nominations and will also take part in the final decision.

The jury and the award’s history

Jury members include Valerie Adams, chair of the World Athletics Athletes’ Commission; Sally Pearson, Olympic and world 100 metres hurdles gold medallist; Paula Radcliffe, former marathon world record holder; Jon Ridgeon, chief executive of World Athletics; Sunil Sabharwal, president of the International Fair Play Committee; and Tim Van de Velde, winner of the award in 2025.

The committee, recognised by the IOC and founded in 1963 by UNESCO and international sports governing bodies, first worked with World Athletics at the 2003 World Championships in Paris. Since then, thirteen awards have been presented.