Jean-Christophe Rolland honoured with World Fair Play Trophy for act of true sportsmanship at Paris 2024 Olympic Games

World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland,  has been awarded the Willi Daume – Promotion of Fair Play Trophy by the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP), in recognition of an extraordinary act of fairness that took place during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The award was presented at the World Rowing Headquarters in Lausanne, by the newly elected President of the CIFP, Sunil Sabharwal, in a moment that celebrated integrity and exemplary behaviour in international sport.

The honour stems from a moment that could have gone unnoticed — but instead, revealed the very essence of what it means to uphold the Olympic spirit.

Just moments before the start of the men’s single sculls final at the Stade Nautique de Vaires-sur-Marne, one of the competitors,  Yauheni Zalaty (Individual Neutral Athlete) was missing.

The reason? The shuttle bus carrying him from the Olympic Village, with other athletes and team members, to the competition venue had broken down, stranding him  on a sweltering August day in Vaires-sur-Marne. As other finalists were already on the water warming up, the likelihood of disqualification loomed large.

But instead of letting the race proceed without him, Jean-Christophe Rolland and the World Rowing Executive Committee made the call to delay the start, by an hour, allowing Zalaty to arrive at the venue and compete on equal terms with the others. Zalaty went on to win the silver medal in the men’s single sculls.

In a statement that underscores the values behind his decision, Rolland said: “This wasn’t about medals or protocol. It was about giving every athlete a fair shot — and doing what’s right. The Olympic Games aren’t only about winning. They are about respect. About humanity. At World Rowing, we are guided by values and respect. This wasn’t the easiest decision to make, but we were proud that everybody was on board with it.”

“I happened to be at the Rowing competition in Paris the day the story unfolded, added Sunil Sabharwal, President of the CIFP. I was breath-taken by the grace and intelligence with which Jean-Christophe and World Rowing leadership managed this delicate situation. The fact that the national federations, coaches and athletes also agreed speaks for the values within the sport of rowing. It was an immense honor and pleasure for me to present this award.”

President Rolland’s decision, taken in the heat of the moment, has since become a symbol of leadership guided by principle — and of fair play not as a slogan, but as an action.