Resa Leal was the highlight of Brazilian women’s skateboarding at the Tokyo Olympics, winning the silver medal. But two other Brazilian athletes competing in Japan were honored this Friday by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Dora Varela and Yandiyara ASP received the award fair play For “extraordinary display of sporting spirit during the Olympic Games”.
Two athletes from the Brazilian skate team were joined by Sakura Yosozumi and Kokona Hiraki of Japan, Sky Brown from the United Kingdom, Poppy Olsen, from Australia, and Bryce Wetstein, from USA, also remembered and honored by IOC.
The reason for the award was an act of sympathy and solidarity with 15-year-old Japanese girl Misugu Okamoto, who lost an Olympic medal after a fall on her last attempt. In one of the most memorable scenes from the Olympics, the skater was carried on her shoulders by her colleagues.
The IOC stated that it was an “extraordinary display of sporting prowess during the Olympic Games” when the choice was made to award the award to skaters who appreciated the road sport decision.
The committee was overjoyed and delighted by the sporting spirit among the athletes at the introduction of skateboarding at the Olympic Games. The atmosphere of solidarity and friendship among the competitors attracted the attention of the institution, which decided to award seven athletes.
The award was given in 1963 by the International Fair Play Committee (IFPC), an organization created by the IOC and which, after the 2008 Games in Beijing, began distributing honors to participants in events.
