FLORENCE, 29 May 2024 – The countdown has started to the 28th Fair Play Menarini International Awards, to be held in Florence and Fiesole on July 3 and 4, an opportunity to celebrate sporting legends who have become symbols of ethics, loyalty and respect. The all-important presentation press conference is scheduled for Wednesday June 5 in the Hall of Honour of the CONI headquarters in Rome. On this occasion, the names of the future Fair Play Menarini Ambassadors will be announced. They will be invited on stage during the final evening on July 4 as virtuous examples of fair play, both in competition and in life.

During the press conference, the headquarters of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) will also host the presentation of the trophies to the winners of the ‘Young Athletes’ category of the Fair Play Menarini Award, set up in 2023 to celebrate the very best examples of ethics and solidarity by the new generations of sportsmen and women.

One such award has been won by the footballer Nicolò Vacchelli, born in 2010, who plays for the ASD Esperia club in Cremona. Last October, he fell during an attacking phase resulting in his team being awarded a penalty. Nicolò, however, had no hesitation in explaining to the referee that he had not been fouled, thus overturning the decision.

Niccolò Vacchelli

The winners also include the ten-year-old sprinter, Gioele Gallicchio, for his actions during the 2023 Gran Galà competition for emerging athletes, held in Lucca. In the final of the 400 metres, the young athlete stopped to help up his rival, who had slipped on the track, thus sacrificing victory in the race.

Gioele Gallicchio

Lastly, the shortlist of 2024 Fair Play Menarini Award winners is completed by the Under 14 girls’ basketball team of the Asd Golfobasket club. Last January, the basketball players opened the doors of their homes to their opponents, providing them with accommodation during their away match. This allowed two matches to be played, thus recouping the home game that had been cancelled due to bad weather.

Under 14 Asd Golfobasket

“Fair play is the ‘fil rouge’ that unites these young athletes to the award-winning champions”, say Antonello Biscini, Valeria Speroni Cardi and Ennio Troiano, Members of the Board of the Fair Play Menarini Foundation. “You don’t necessarily need to look at the impressive list of award-winning international stars to discover the values of fair play, as these three stories clearly demonstrate”.

For further information: www.fairplaymenarini.com