Africa-Press – Mozambique. World Road Running Half Marathon silver medalist Daniel Simiu says his World Athletics nomination for the International Fair Play Award has caught him by surprise.
The world 10,000m silver medalist was nominated for his sportsmanship when he saluted compatriot Sebastian Sawe when he overtook to win the gold medal in Riga, Latvia in August.
“I must thank World Athletics for the nomination. I will wait to see what happens at the end of the day. Win or lose, I will celebrate because I did not even expect to be nominated. I will also celebrate the winner just the same way I would celebrate if I win,” said the New Delhi Half marathon champion.
He has been nominated alongside Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, Sifan Hassan (Netherlands), Shericka Jackson (Jamaica) and Sha’Carri Richardson (USA), Nina Kennedy (Australia) and Katie Moon (USA) and Britain’s Jessica Warner-Judd.
“Since I did salute Sawe, I can salute anybody and be happy for other people’s success. Even if I don’t win this time, there are better things ahead. This is just the beginning,” said Simiu.
“I was awakened by a friend of mine, saying ‘I am voting for you’. I was so surprised since I didn’t have the infortion neither was I vying for vying for a political seat. But he later explained what he meant. So I went ahead to check only to find out that World Athletics had nominated me. That was a real surprise,” he said.
He said it is not all about winning. What one does in a competition makes the difference.
“It was an expression that humanity still exists and because I did not do anything unusual, it is all about sportsmanship. The story of my career has just begun with God in control. I will celebrate more. I am just in my own world,” he said.
The Samburu county runner was leading the way during the World Road Running Championships but the sprinting Sawe bypassed him in less than 200m. Simiu made no effort to counter him, just a salute with a smile.
The votes from fans will be combined with those from the jury to determine three finalists for the Fair Play Award. The finalists will be announced on November 7.
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