FLORENCE, 4 July 2024 – The big day of the 28th Fair Play Menarini International Award has finally arrived. The event dedicated to the very best values in sport kicked off yesterday in Florence in the romantic setting of Piazzale Michelangelo and will continue this evening with the grand finale at the Roman Theatre in Fiesole. The 2024 winners and the Fair Play Menarini Ambassadors, flagbearers for fair play on the field and in life, lit up the first appointment for the Award with their presence, on Florence’s most elegant stage.

“An outstandingly beautiful setting like the Roman Theatre in Fiesole is the perfect location for such an important and significant evening – says Eugenio Giani, President of the Regione Toscana – Renowned legendary champions and a whole host of young boys and girls, full of hope, are the stars of this event founded on one value, fair play, that is key to the concept of sport. Respect for your adversary and for yourself, good manners, a sense of fellowship and correct lifestyle are the values surrounding this concept. They should not merely be reiterated but put into practice and championed, at all levels. Our thanks once again go to Menarini for having linked its name to initiatives such as this”.

Gala dinner of the 28th Fair Play Menarini International Award: Eugenio Giani (President of the Regione Toscana); Giuseppe Dossena (2024 Fair Play Menarini International Award winner); Cristina Scaletti (Mayor of Fiesole); Giancarlo Antognoni (Fair Play Menarini Ambassador)

In the meantime, the countdown has started to the awards ceremony. The timeless charm of the Roman Theatre in Fiesole provides the backdrop for the key moment of the two Award Days. This evening, starting at 8:30 pm, the winners will make their way, one by one, onto the stage to receive the title of Fair Play Menarini Ambassadors.

“I would like to thank Menarini for once again choosing the Roman Theatre in Fiesole as the stage for this evening’s event – says the Mayor of Fiesole, Cristina Scaletti – It is an honour to host an event in which values are acknowledged that every sportsperson should strive to attain and on which every community should be founded, namely loyalty, solidarity, and collaboration. As Mayor and former athlete, I firmly believe that Sport is a powerful instrument for educating children about respect, which is why Institutions should lend their support to the organisations that, on a daily basis, accompany young sportsmen and women on their path and growth, cultivating the values of Fair Play”.

Gala dinner of the 28th Fair Play Menarini International Award, from left to right: Eugenio Giani (President of the Regione Toscana); Luca Lotti (Fair Play Menarini Foundation consultant); Giuseppe Dossena (2024 Fair Play Menarini International Award winner); Giancarlo Antognoni (Fair Play Menarini Ambassador); Cristina Scaletti (Mayor of Fiesole); Ennio Troiano (Board member of Fair Play Menarini Foundation); Valeria Speroni Cardi (Board member of Fair Play Menarini Foundation); Gian Paolo Montali (2024 Fair Play Menarini International Award winner); Antonello Biscini (Chairman of Fair Play Menarini Foundation); Vincenzo Parrinello (Chairman of the Jury of Fair Play Menarini International Award)

The final evening of the event, organised for the first time in partnership with Sky TG24, will be hosted by Rachele Sangiuliano and Omar Schillaci, together with Federica Pellegrini, star guest of the Award. The recording of the ceremony will be broadcast on Sportitalia.

Gala dinner of the 28th Fair Play Menarini International Award: Antonello Biscini (Chairman of Fair Play Menarini Foundation); Valeria Speroni Cardi (Board member of Fair Play Menarini Foundation); Ennio Troiano (Board member of Fair Play Menarini Foundation)

“We are very much looking forward to taking part in the Awards ceremony this evening – state Antonello Biscini, Valeria Speroni Cardi and Ennio Troiano, Members of the Board of the Fair Play Menarini Foundation – Once again this year, we will be thrilled to hear the stories of these incredible champions who we hope will be an inspiration, especially to the younger generations, in their everyday challenges”.

The awards ceremony is free and open to the public following registration on TicketOne (link).

Here is the list of the winners of the 28th Fair Play Menarini International Award:
DIDIER DROGBA
SAMUEL ETO’O
MARCO BELINELLI
FEDERICO BUFFA
FABIO CANNAVARO
GIUSEPPE DOSSENA
CIRO FERRARA
CESARE FIORIO
FRANCESCA LOLLOBRIGIDA
GIAN PAOLO MONTALI
CESARE PRANDELLI
ROBERTO RIGALI
CLEMENTE RUSSO
AMBRA SABATINI