Torres to receive International Fair Play Prize

Dara Torres will be recognized on Tuesday by the International Committee for Fair Play for her sportsmanship during the Olympic Games in Beijng in 2008. In the widely-reported incident, Torres convinced meet officials to delay the start of the 50m freestyle to enable her competitor Therese Alshammar of Sweden to correct a swimsuit malfunction. 

 

Torres will officially accept the award at a luncheon at the FINA World Championships in Rome today. The luncheon will be attended by members of the FINA Bureau, FINA Technical Committee, IOC and Chicago 2016 Bid Committee, as well as representatives from several U.S. National Governing Bodies. 

 

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR FAIR PLAY
The goal of the Olympic Movement, as stated in the Olympic Charter, is to promote and contribute to the practice of sport in a "spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play". The spirit of fair play includes observance of the rules, respect for the opponent, and combating violence and unfair behaviour. The International Committee for Fair Play (CIFP), established in 1963, aims to promote the practice of fair play principles, which are essential to sport. Each year, the CIFP awards International Fair Play Prizes on the basis of nominations received by various organisations and the public. Honorary trophies and diplomas are awarded to athletes, ranging from Olympic champions to beginners, chosen for their particular commitment to fair play.