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Fair Play Menarini: A Night of Champions and Triumph Stories

On December 2, 2024, the stunning Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy, set the stage for a memorable event, the Fair Play Menarini talk show entitled The Champions Tell Their Stories. The evening was charged with emotion, bringing together some of the most revered sports figures to share their personal journeys filled with challenges and victories. This annual gathering not only illuminated the sporting achievements of these champions but also advocated for the enduring principles of fair play, Olympic spirit, and respect.

The Mayor of Florence, Sara Funaro, emphasized the significance of sports values, noting that they extend beyond athletic prowess to encompass essential life skills. She remarked, "These values are not confined to sports; they inform every aspect of daily life, fostering empathy and the ability to build positive social connections." These foundational qualities are vital for cultivating a better, more inclusive society, and Funaro expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Menarini Group for their commitment to these ideals.

The stage was graced by an array of distinguished guests, commencing with Javier Zanetti, the legendary captain of Inter Milan and the Argentinian national team, who was the recipient of the 2023 Fair Play Menarini International Award. Alongside him was Andrea Zorzi, a celebrated volleyball player and Fair Play Menarini ambassador since 2010, who represented the "generation of phenomena" that won two World Championships in the 1990s.

Notably, the talk show welcomed young athletic talents, such as Ekaterina Antropova, who recently clinched a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Andy Diaz, the triple jump champion who made his mark in France after relocating from Cuba. The audience also received a special appearance from Fabrizio Donato, the bronze medalist from the London 2012 Olympics, who has been an inspiring mentor to Diaz.

Rigivan Ganeshamoorthy, who garnered public admiration by sharing his experiences from the 2024 Paralympics in Paris where he won a gold medal in discus throw and broke the world record thrice, was another highlight of the evening. The spotlight also fell on Giuliano Razzoli, the gold medalist in slalom skiing from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, who recently retired after a remarkable twenty-year career.

In addition, the evening embraced the presence of Borja Valero, the iconic midfielder who has become a fan favorite at Fiorentina. The journey of sportsmanship continued with journalist Federico Buffa, a recipient of the Fair Play Menarini International Award, who captivated the audience with his unique storytelling about global sports icons.

The Italian National Olympic Committee was represented as well, with Silvia Salis, the committee's vice president and a former hammer throw champion, sharing her experiences as a two-time Olympian. For the first time, the event was broadcast live on the Sky channel 501, reaching a wider audience eager to engage in the celebration of sports.

Hosted by Rachele Sangiuliano, a former volleyball champion, along with Sky TG24’s Omar Schillaci and Michele Cagiano, the event provided a platform for discussions around the powerful and personal stories of athletes. Valeria Speroni Cardi and Filippo Paganelli, board members of the Fair Play Menarini foundation, encouraged viewers to participate in the upcoming twenty-ninth edition in the summer of 2025, underscoring the importance of sharing these values with younger generations.

The Fair Play Menarini event fostered a warm and inspiring atmosphere, where the audience celebrated not only the athletic achievements of the champions but also the profound life lessons they imparted through their stories. The echoes of triumph and camaraderie signified a powerful night dedicated to sportsmanship and unity, leaving attendees and viewers with a lasting impression of the spirit of fair play.