FLORENCE, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Some give up a victory to restore the correct result, others stop their race to help an injured opponent, while others choose fairness at a decisive moment. These are the gestures that the 2026 has chosen to celebrate, honouring three young athletes who have put loyalty and solidarity above victory.
Their stories will take centre stage at the press conference on at the in Rome, where the stars of the will also be revealed. A common thread will thus link the winners of the "Young Athletes" Award to international champions who will receive the award on : stories united by the same values.
This year's first award winner, , turned a fencing bout into a lesson in integrity. During the Italian Under-23 Championships in Caorle, the fencer realised that he had been awarded an extra victory. The referee's oversight would have excluded his opponent from the next round, but Alberto immediately reported the error to the officials, insisting the result be corrected.
's actions also exemplify the noblest principles of sport: during the Endurance World Championships in France, the young rider stopped her own race to help a competitor injured in a fall. Showing clarity and composure, Gloria handled the emergency for forty minutes, securing the horses, reassuring the injured rider, and coordinating the rescue efforts, before resuming the competition.
Finally, volleyball player embodied the values of loyalty and fair play. During the Under-13 finals, at a tense moment in the match, the young player from Virtus Roma Pallavolo spontaneously admitted a block touch that had gone unnoticed by the referees, forfeiting an advantage for his team.
"" said Luca Lastrucci, Valeria Speroni Cardi and Filippo Paganelli, members of the Board of the Fair Play Menarini Foundation. ""
The grand finale of the 30th edition will take place on at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, celebrating the 2026 winners and the finest stories in international sport.
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