Belarusian sambo wrestler Stepan Popov gets “Fair Play” diploma

Following the meeting of the Executive Committee of the international organization “Fair Play”, Belarusian sambo wrestler Stepan Popov will be awarded a diploma for gesture in spirit of fair competition, reports the NOC press center.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktdOrCDr0ug

49 candidates from more than 20 countries were nominated in the categories “Gesture of Fair Play”, “Promotion of Fair Play Principles”, “Career-style Fair Play” and “Youth”. Following the results of the voting, members of the Executive Committee have chosen 32 candidates, who will be awarded special prizes, diplomas and commendations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sQ-u5Hn_Ds

Stepan Popov was nominated by the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus with the support of the International Sambo Federation and Belarusian Sports Press Association.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=flQFqkZwgv8

During the final match of the first European Games in Baku, Belarusian sambo wrestler from Lepel Stepan Popov has demonstrated a gesture in the “Fair Play” style. From the first seconds of the wrestling, it was clear that our athlete is totally focused on winning in a final fight in weight category up to 74 kg vs Amila Gasimov from Azerbaijan. Stepan had immediately taken the lead, but then the opponent equalized the score. However, the Belarusian had taken the lead again, made an armlock and was awarded a clear win for it. Then Stepan Popov helped his defeated and injured rival to leave the carpet.

- This award is the first in the history of sambo, so I am sure that this is important not only for Belarus, said Stepan Popov. To be honest, I have made such gestures before, and I was also helped to leave the carpet. Sambo is a contact sport, and no one wants to give up in it. As I didn't want sometime. This time the event occurred during the Euro Games, when voltage in the final battle and fans emotions were off the charts, so this gesture got such response. And I'm definitely pleased to get this award.

The award ceremony will take place at a special gala ceremony in Budapest in October.

In the history of Belarusian sport, only triple Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling Alexander Medved, European champion in table tennis Vladimir Samsonov got awards “Fair Play”. Now the champion of the European Games in Baku Stepan Popov joined them.

For reference:
ICSSPE (The International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education), that was founded in 1958, heads the movement “Fair Play” on a global scale. The CIFP (Committee International for Fair Play) was formed in 1964 under the guidance of ICSSPE.
The Committee International for Fair Play is a non-governmental organization. Among the initiators and founders of the Committee are UNESCO, the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
Translated by Alina Kazmiruk, four year student of FIC, MSLU