USSA News Charne Swart Honoured with FISU Spirit Award CHENGDU: Team South Africa’s 800m and 1500m athlete, Charne Swart has been honoured with a FISU Spirit Award today at the Games Village. The Spirit Award is presented to individuals or people who showcase a remarkable fair act of play on and off sporting fields. The awards have been held in high esteem for the past 58 years celebrating athletes from across the world. The World University Games bronze medalist was nominated for the award following an extraordinary gesture in assisting Comoros Soudi-Thasmy Moussa post Women’s 800m heat to move from the track and field after flagging that she was injured at Shuangliu Sports Centre Stadium on second day of the athletics competition. The video clip of the moment between Charne, Soudi-Thasmy and Veronica Vancardo (Switzerland) captured the hearts of social media users, which some expressed as an Olympian spirit. Accompanying Swart to receive her prestigious award is the Head of Delegation for Team South Africa, Mr Thabo Moilwa to support the athlete on her FISU recognition. The 21 year old, University of Pretoria student has more than a medal to take home with under her name and has shown gratitude during the awarding ceremony, "I just started competing in a bigger circuit this year and I understand it can be daunting and intimidating running in front of a big crowd. She’s from a small country and not used to the type of set up and having to pace yourself, it takes a lot and I have big respect for her" Charne Swart tells FISU Media. Amongst the attendees for the special award was FISU Acting President Mr. Leonz Eder who emphasised that the act of fair play is important and despite witnessing fair plays in other years, the Charne act pleased the federation and how it was the talk of town on social media, he added that "it’s more than winning medals but also taking care of each other". Posted by Valencia Seshoene on 09 Aug, 2023. Source: USSA