Two young surfers riding massive, crystal-clear waves.
The spirit of fair play is deeply rooted in the Olympic ideal.
Photo:Adobe Stock/ohrim

Embrace the Spirit of Fair Play

19 May 2025 marks the inaugural World Fair Play Day, a celebration dedicated to promoting sports practiced in the spirit of friendship, solidarity, tolerance, inclusion, and non-discrimination.

Fair play fosters mutual respect among participants, teaching us to value and honor one another. It promotes equality, bridges cultural divides, and empowers young people by showcasing how sports can drive social change and build stronger, more cohesive communities.

By embracing the principles of fair play—adherence to rules, respect for opponents, and the fight against violence and doping—everyone benefits.

Serving as a powerful platform to engage greater participation in sports, the World Day contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 4, 5, 10, and 16.

Combatting Doping in Sport: Upholding Fair Play and Integrity

Sport bringing people together through shared emotions and pride. The International Convention Against Doping is vital in protecting the universal values of sport, safeguarding fairness globally, and supporting governments in maintaining integrity and equal opportunities for athletes.

Background

On 1 July 2024 the General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/78/310, proclaiming May 19 as World Fair Play Day.

Recognizing the spirit of fair play and the values it embodies in both sports and everyday life, the resolution emphasizes the role of sports, including for persons with disabilities, in fostering peace, development, community cohesion, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls.

The resolution further reaffirms the independence of sports and the leadership roles of the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees in their respective movements, urging the global community to recognize and raise awareness of World Fair Play Day.

Understanding Fair Play and Its Importance

  • Fair play is a complex concept that encompasses fundamental values integral to both sport and everyday life, including fair competition, respect, friendship, team spirit, equality, and integrity.
  • The concept of fair play extends beyond simply following written rules; it also involves respecting unwritten rules and demonstrating unconditional respect for opponents, fellow players, referees, and fans.
  • The Olympic values and Olympism itself are achieved through demonstrating fair play.
  • The attitude of fair play contributes to building a peaceful and better world beyond the realm of sports.

Key Documents

  • General Assembly Resolution on establishing the World Day
    (A/RES/78/310)
  • General Assembly Resolution on Sport as an enabler of sustainable development: 2024, 2022, 2020
  • General Assembly Resolution on Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal (A/RES/76/13)
  • General Assembly Resolution on Sport as a means to promote education, health, development and peace (A/RES/58/5)
  • Report of the Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace: (2024), (2022), (2020), (2018)

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International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.