April 25, 2024

2024 EUROPEAN FAIR PLAY MOVEMENT “FAIR PLAY FLAME” DIPLOMA (to an athlete or a team under 18) goes to HANNA DANEK (POL)

On 2 – 7 July 2024, eleven years since the last World Junior & U23 Slalom Championships organized in Liptovský Mikuláš, the Ondrej Cibák complex in Tatras hosted the World Championships in these youth age categories once again.  Approximately 500 athletes from 49 countries took part in the event, which is one of the most important sporting events in Slovakia this year.

Hannah’s story of how she received the award goes like this (sent by Jill Bassett, who represented the Australian Rowing Organisation in Liptovský Mikuláš):.

“Even though it’s not on or near the water, I’ve watched this interaction between a member of the rowing community and the general public and I’ve been extremely impressed.

I was coming out of the local supermarket when I noticed an elderly lady with a cane and a large shopping bag trying to walk down the stairs. I watched as Hanna, who was approaching the stairs from the opposite side, stopped to allow the lady to descend. When she noticed the lady struggling with her wand and shopping bag, she immediately approached her and offered to carry her bag. The lady accepted the offer and it was obvious that she was both pleased and touched by Hanna’s gesture. Hanna’s display of courtesy, kindness and empathy was exceptional. It was a positive experience to see a young person, and someone from our boating community at that, which made me extremely happy!” wrote Jill in her proposal.

Hanna Danek is a representative from Poland and won a silver medal in the junior women’s K1 slalom.