FAIR PLAY MENARINI INTERNATIONAL AWARD: THE 29TH EDITION OFFICIALLY BEGINS
Florence and Fiesole open their doors to two days of celebrations of the truest values in sport. The opening event takes place this evening in the spectacular setting of Piazzale Michelangelo, where the gala dinner will welcome the awardees to a thrilling atmosphere and share the values and principles that have always inspired the Fair Play Menarini International Award.
"This edition, of the Fair Play Menarini Award will again celebrate the values of sport and its champions - said the Mayor of Florence, Sara Funaro - Values that are not only about athletic ability but also include commitment, tenacity, empathy, and team spirit. These are the same values that we promote every day to build an increasingly attentive and respectful society. The Fair Play Menarini Award reminds us every time that sport is a fundamental driver of growth and inclusion."
Meanwhile, a sense of anticipation is building up for the Award Ceremony due to take place tomorrow evening, Thursday, July 3rd, at the Roman Theatre of Fiesole where the audience will applaud the winners and listen to their stories which will bring back the true meaning of sport.
The protagonists of the 29th edition come from a range of different backgrounds and sporting disciplines, yet they are united by their commitment to embody the values of fair play through their actions. The Fair Play Menarini Award is proud to confirm the presence of another Ballon d'Or winner: Portuguese champion Luis Figo, star of the Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter teams. To represent football, "Billy" Costacurta and Demetrio Albertini shall also be on stage, paragons of style, discipline, and sporting integrity, as well as unforgettable members of the AC Milan and Italian National teams. Athletics will be represented by Gianmarco Tamberi, high jump world champion in Budapest 2023 and Olympic gold medallist in Tokyo 2021; Andy Diaz, triple jump specialist and indoor world champion; Nadia Battocletti, silver medallist in the 10,000 metres at the Paris 2024 Games; and Blanka Vlasic, high jump legend and two-time world champion. Representing fencing will be Arianna Errigo, one of the most decorated foil fencers of all time. Judo will celebrate Alice Bellandi, newly crowned world champion and Olympic gold medallist in Paris. Basketball will see the spotlight on Sasha Vujacic, two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. Paralympic sport will be represented by Rigivan Ganeshamoorthy, gold medallist in the discus throw at the 2024 Paralympic Games whilst in the field of sports journalism, acknowledgment will be given to Guido Meda, the legendary voice of MotoGP and passionate storyteller of the two-wheeled world.
Standing beside this year's awardees will be three Fair Play Menarini Ambassadors, sports legends who have already written unforgettable chapters in the history of sport: five-time Olympic swimming champion, Ian Thorpe, Giancarlo Antognoni, icon of the Fiorentina football team and 1982 World Cup winner, and Fabrizio Donato, winner of the triple jump bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
This year also sees the continued partnership with Sky TG24, accompanying viewers over the two days of the Awards and hosting the final ceremony will be Rachele Sangiuliano, Michele Cagiano, and Omar Schillaci, joined by fellow journalist Federico Buffa, ready to give voice to the athletes' stories of ethics, passion, and extraordinary sporting achievements.
" With the 2025 edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award, we aim to continue showcasing the highest values of sport and a side of sport that is not only heartwarming but also an example to society," stated Valeria Speroni Cardi and Filippo Paganelli, Board Members of the Fair Play Menarini Foundation. " It is a chance to pay tribute to those sportsmen and women who, through their gestures of fair play, have chosen to become role models for others - both in sport and in life."
Participation at the award ceremony is free of charge and open to the public but only after registration on TicketOne (link).
The 29th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award is supported by the Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale as Institutional Partner, and by Sustenium, Frecciarossa, Estra, and Adiacent as initiative partners.
https://www.fairplaymenarini.com/en and the Award's social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
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Published Aug 15, 2025 • 2 minute read Noah Lyles, of the United States, slows down after winning a men's 100 metres heat during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 19, 2023. Photo by Petr David Josek / AP Photo Maybe only a track and field superstar like Mondo Duplantis could get away with such a mischievous question to Olympic 100-meter champion Noah Lyles. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The pole vault world record holder wanted to know more Friday about the shove Lyles got from Kenny Bednarek after winning the 200 at United States national championships two weeks ago. 'Can I ask a question?' Duplantis said at the end of a multi-athlete news conference in Poland — alongside Lyles but not Bednarek — on the eve of the sprinters renewing their rivalry in the 100 on the Diamond League circuit. 'I want to ask Noah about, like, that stare down and that push,' Duplantis said, smiling and looking right along the line to Lyles, 'because that (expletive) was kinda crazy game.' Lyles repeated the answer he gave Aug. 4 in Eugene, Oregon, after the post-race beef with long-time teammate Bednarek seemed to fuel a must-see track rivalry ahead of the world championships next month in Tokyo. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'As coach said: 'No comment,'' Lyles replied, to laughter in the room. Duplantis came back for more: 'Fair enough, fair enough. I enjoyed it, though, I enjoyed it.' Lyles was invited to ask his own question of Duplantis. He suggested not setting another world record Saturday so that he might win the ring awarded by meet organizers for the best performance. 'No comment, no comment,' the U.S.-born Swedish star quipped back, to more laughter. Duplantis set his 13th world record Tuesday in Hungary, raising the bar to 6.29 meters. One year ago he cleared 6.26 in Poland to add a single centimeter to the record-setting mark that won Olympic gold in Paris last August. On the track, the men's 100 shapes as the main event Saturday, though Bednarek has since said he made up with Lyles in a long conversation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It will be the first 100 between Lyles and Kishane Thompson since Paris, when the American took gold by five-thousands from the Jamaica as both were timed at 9.79 seconds. Thompson starts Saturday as the fastest man in the world this year — 9.75 set in Kingston in June. Bednarek is second on the season list at 9.79, clocked winning the U.S. national title that was skipped by Lyles, who has an automatic entry for Tokyo as the defending champion from 2023. 'You basically have the Olympic final maybe missing two people, adding in some just as fast people,' said Lyles, whose season best so far is 10 flat in London last month. 'It's going to be good, regardless.' 'Of course,' he said, 'having Kishane there makes it even better.' Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Sunshine Girls Canada Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA
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