#Italy #Menarini #Florence #Fair Play #CONI

29th Fair Play Menarini International Award Announcement

On June 11, 2025, the Fair Play Menarini International Award revealed this year’s winners at the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) in Rome. The anticipation surrounding the award ceremony is palpable, as notable athletes gather to celebrate ethics, loyalty, and respect in sports. This year marks the 29th edition of the award, which will take place on July 2 and 3 in the beautiful cities of Florence and Fiesole, Italy.

The Fair Play Menarini Foundation aims to promote the core values that sports instill in young generations. Giovanni Malagò, the president of CONI, emphasized that “fair play is not just a principle for sports; it is a vital framework for building better societies and educating youth.” He reminisced about the Italian sports heritage, highlighting Eugenio Monti’s incredible sportsmanship during the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics, which earned him the Pierre de Coubertin Trophy for fair play—a foundation for this prestigious award.

This year's roster of awardees showcases an exceptional lineup of talent across various sports disciplines. Beginning with athletics, world champion high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi, who excelled in Budapest 2023, and Olympic gold medalist from Tokyo 2021 will be honored. Other remarkable athletes, such as Nadia Battocletti, the silver medalist in the 10,000 meters at the Paris 2024 Games, and Blanka Vlasic, a two-time world champion in high jump with multiple Olympic medals, are also among the recipients.

From the realm of football, Demetrio Albertini, a renowned figure in Italian football who has represented the Azzurri on numerous occasions, is set to make an appearance. The fencing community will be represented by Arianna Errigo, one of the top foil fencers with a breathtaking record, including ten world titles and four Olympic medals. Additionally, Paola Fantato’s extraordinary debut is notable, as she is an eight-time Paralympic medalist in archery.

Basketball enthusiasts will be thrilled to witness Sasha Vujacic, two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, receiving recognition, alongside Guido Meda, the prominent MotoGP commentator, who will be awarded in the sports journalism category. This event also honors young talent with the “Young Athletes” Fair Play Menarini Award, highlighting promising athletes like Nicola Nardo, Michele Vivalda, and Alessandro Bugli.

The event will generate excitement as it progresses towards the Special Fiamme Gialle Award for “Study and Sport” to be held on June 26 in Florence. The traditional gala dinner will be hosted on July 2 against the stunning backdrop of Piazzale Michelangelo. The grand award ceremony will culminate in the historic Teatro Romano of Fiesole on the night of July 3.

Continuing its partnership with Sky TG24 for the 29th edition, the Fair Play Menarini International Award will receive substantial media coverage. The evening will be presented by Rachele Sangiuliano, Michele Cagiano, and Omar Schillaci, alongside the esteemed journalist Federico Buffa.

Valeria Speroni Cardi and Filippo Paganelli, board members of the Fair Play Menarini Foundation, expressed their excitement: “This is a phenomenal opportunity to revisit these athletes' inspiring stories, highlighting their admirable sportsmanship and influence as role models for the youth. We hope their integrity and achievements will impart essential values of loyalty and commitment to future generations.”

Additionally, the Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale is the institutional partner for this year’s award, supported by Sustenium, Frecciarossa, Estra, and Adiacent. To stay updated on the event, including thrilling moments and news, fans can visit the official website at Fair Play Menarini's Website and follow their social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.