{"id":19601,"date":"2026-07-03T10:20:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T04:35:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=19601"},"modified":"2026-07-03T10:20:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T04:35:50","slug":"duplantis-among-sporting-greats-honoured-with-fair-play-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=19601","title":{"rendered":"Duplantis Among Sporting Greats Honoured with Fair Play Award<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rome, Pole vault world record holder Armand Duplantis and members of Italy\u2019s Olympic champion men\u2019s speed skating team were among the leading sports figures honoured at the 30th Fair Play Menarini International Award.<\/p>\n

The ceremony was held on Thursday evening in Florence, Italy, recognising athletes and sports personalities who have demonstrated excellence alongside respect, integrity, fairness and team spirit.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old Swedish Olympic and world champion received this year\u2019s \u201cLegendary Figure\u201d award.<\/p>\n

Recalling one of the most memorable acts of fair play in his career, Duplantis referred to a Diamond League meeting in Gateshead, Britain, in 2021.<\/p>\n

During rainy conditions, Duplantis held an umbrella over American pole vaulter Sam Kendricks to prevent his grip from becoming too wet. Kendricks returned the gesture, although he later defeated Duplantis in the competition.<\/p>\n

Duplantis described the incident as a strong example of mutual respect and friendship between competitors.<\/p>\n

In March, he cleared 6.31 metres to improve his own world record by one centimetre. It marked the 15th time he had broken the pole vault world record since first setting it in 2020 with a clearance of 6.17 metres.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the ceremony, Duplantis said he believed he could establish more world records and identified 6.40 metres as one of his major future targets.<\/p>\n

Italy\u2019s Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini and Michele Malfatti jointly received the \u201cFair Play and Team Spirit\u201d award.<\/p>\n

The trio won the men\u2019s team pursuit speed skating title at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, returning Italy to the top of the Olympic podium in the event after 20 years.<\/p>\n

Giovannini, who earned one gold and one bronze medal at the Games, recalled an incident in which he lent a shoelace to an opponent shortly before a race after the athlete\u2019s own lace had broken.<\/p>\n

The assistance allowed the rival competitor to take part in the event.<\/p>\n

Giovannini said fair play was a fundamental principle of sport and that the true value of an athlete should be assessed not only through results but also through conduct on the field of competition.<\/p>\n

Other recipients included former Argentine footballer Diego Milito, former Italian footballer Gianfranco Zola and Italian para-alpine skier Chiara Mazzel.<\/p>\n

The Fair Play Menarini International Award honours athletes and sporting personalities who promote respect, inclusion, responsibility, fairness and solidarity both in competition and in wider society.<\/p>\n

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