FLORENCE, 26 June 2025 – Sport teaches us how to learn from our mistakes, just like studying: both forge perseverance, self discipline, and willpower. This similarity was at the centre of today’s press conference to present the 29th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award in Florence, at the Sala Pegaso of Palazzo Guadagni Strozzi Sacrati, headquarters of the Tuscany Region.
“Tuscany is proud to host, once again, the Fair Play Menarini International Award, an event that celebrates not only the great champions of sport, but above all the universal values of respect, loyalty, and commitment – said Eugenio Giani, President of the Tuscany Region – This year, with the Special Fiamme Gialle ‘Study and Sport’ Award, we want to highlight the importance of combining athletic and academic excellence, showing that discipline, dedication, and passion are fundamental in every aspect of life. Margherita Voliani, Leonardo Mazzoni and Sara Mannini all represent this spirit perfectly: talented young athletes who, with determination, have succeeded in balancing their sporting achievements and academic success, becoming role models for younger generations. Florence and Fiesole, with their extraordinary cultural and sporting heritage, make the ideal setting for this celebration, and the Tuscany Region is proud to support initiatives like this, which promote a future founded on ethics, education, and merit ”.
Once again, Florence and Fiesole will welcome, on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd July, sports legends who undisputedly represent equity and correctness. The 2025 edition of the Award will pay tribute to great international sports figures, including Gianmarco Tamberi, Nadia Battocletti, Blanka Vlasic, Andy Diaz, Rigivan Ganeshamoorthy, Demetrio Albertini, Arianna Errigo, Alice Bellandi, Sasha Vujacic and Guido Meda: exemplary athletes and professionals who embody the values of fair play, respect, and integrity.
“It is truly a great honour and privilege to host the Fair Play Menarini Award at the Roman Theatre in Fiesole and to share the values of loyalty, respect, friendship and sports ethics which align perfectly with Fiesole’s candidacy as Italian Capital of Culture 2028 – said Cristina Scaletti, Mayor of Fiesole – Sport is undoubtedly culture, a profound expression of a community, and a universal language ”.
“This event has now become a fundamental part of in promoting fair play – said Letizia Perini, Councillor for Sport of the City of Florence – Florence has a strong sporting spirit connected to the social sphere, and our commitment is to make it accessible to everyone, appreciating the value of each sporting discipline and promoting fair play: a set of values and behaviours that go beyond a simple respect for the rules, and include loyalty, honesty, respect for others, and team spirit, both in victory and in defeat. Fair play is what we need today: we consider it a model for coexistence that should be introduced into every social context in life ”.
Established in collaboration with CONI Tuscany and the Sports Division of the Guardia di Finanza, the Special Fiamme Gialle “Study and Sport” Award was presented today to Margherita Voliani, a promising middle-distance runner from Leghorn representing Libertas Unicusano Livorno. Born in 2005, Margherita made herself known in 2023 by winning the Italian junior title in the 5.000 metres, and last April she went on to claim the bronze medal at the Italian U23 Championships in the 10.000 metres. Alongside her athletic career, she has also been committed to her studies and is currently enrolled in the Biotechnology programme at the University of Pisa, where she is acknowledged as a brilliant student. As a “Study and Sport” awardee, Margherita, will now gain access to the Guardia di Finanza Sports Centre in Castelporziano, where she and the other two finalists of the Fiamme Gialle “Study and Sport” Award, middle-distance runner Leonardo Mazzoni and rugby player Sara Mannini, will have the opportunity to strengthen their athletic training even further.
“The main objective of the Fair Play Menarini International Award is to convey the importance of authentic and universal values to younger generations: educating through sport is not a utopia, but a real and concrete mission – said Valeria Speroni Cardi and Filippo Paganelli, Board Members of the Fair Play Menarini Foundation – With the Special Fiamme Gialle ‘Study and Sport’ Award, we want to acknowledge those young athletes who have successfully taken on both their sporting and academic challenges, and underscore that it can be done, even if it calls for commitment, balance, and integrity ”.
The partnership between the Fair Play Menarini International Award and Sky TG24 continues for the 29th edition giving coverage of the event. Hosts of the Award ceremony will be Rachele Sangiuliano, Michele Cagiano, and Omar Schillaci, who will be enchanting the audience alongside fellow journalist Federico Buffa.
The Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale is an Institutional Partner of the 29th Fair Play Menarini International Award, whilst Sustenium, Frecciarossa, Estra, and Adiacent are partners of the initiative.
