OSLO, Norway - Wednesday, July 23rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Olympic champion in cross-country, Ms Marit Bjørgen, has been awarded the international Fair Play Mecenate award for 2014. Ms Bjørgen will receive the award in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy, on Wednesday 23 July.

- It is a great honour to be awarded such a prestigious award. I am proud and humble. To be recognised for a fair play award like the Fair Play Mecenate is something I highly appreciate. Although cross country is an individual sport, I would not be where I am today without the other girls on the team. I am proud to be part of a strong team with a good team spirit where we celebrate our teammates success, and support each other in good times and in bad times, says laureate Marit Bjørgen.

The jury of the Fair Play Mecenate consists of members from all continents and represents the international sports media and various international sports organisations. The jury states that the Fair Play Mecenate is awarded Marit Bjørgen «for the particular ethical and fair play behaviour that you have always had both in your agonistic career and in your demonstrations of great sportsmanship and solidarity».

- This is an acknowledgment of the athlete as well as the person Marit Bjørgen. For years she has been our best athlete and she is a great role model for young people around the world, says Mr Børre Rognlien, President of the Norwegian Olympic Committee.

Among previous winners of the award there are legends like Bob Beamon (Olympic champion, track and field), Lord Sebastian Coe (Olympic champion, track and field), and Paolo Rossi (World champion in football for Italy in 1982).

- Marit Bjørgen has for several years been a role model for athletes in particular, and children and youth in general. She is generous both within sports and as a person, and she represents sports in an excellent manner. This is highly valued by the entire ski-community in Norway. The fact that she now receives international appreciation proves that she has been recognised for her positive attitude far beyond Norway's borders, says Mr Erik Røste, President of the Norwegian Ski Federation.

Bjørgen will receive the award at a formal ceremony in Castiglion Fiorentino, Wednesday 23 July.

Read more about the award here: http://www.premiofairplay.com/en

Contacts

Karl Singdahlsen

Norwegian Olympic Committee

(+47) 92640601

kalle@idrettsforbundet.no

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