From the Italian heartland to the world’s biggest stages, Gianmarco Tamberi (born in Civitanova Marche in 1992) has forged a stellar high jump career, capturing Olympic gold at Tokyo 2021, claiming world championship glory at Budapest 2023, and becoming the first Italian athlete ever to win the Diamond League three times in his discipline.

His signature style blends fierce competitive drive with genuine authenticity. The famous “half-shave” has become his calling card – a symbol of his unique ability to electrify crowds while never compromising his deep respect for the sport. But beyond the charisma lies the attitude that made him the perfect recipient of the Fair Play Menarini International Award (“Perseverance and Fair Play” category).

In 2016, a serious injury forced him to miss the Rio Olympics. Yet he battled back to reach extraordinary heights, displaying remarkable patience, infectious positivity, and heartfelt gratitude – especially toward those who supported him through the dark moments, like his friend Mutaz Barshim. The Qatari jumper famously shared Olympic gold with Tamberi in Tokyo 2021, in what stands as one of sport’s most memorable displays of sportsmanship.

Tamberi has a gift for turning every competition into theater. At the European Championships in Rome, he stunned the crowd with a soaring 2.37m leap, then delivered a masterclass in showmanship – first feigning injury, then dramatically pulling springs from his shoe before launching into a celebration that had fans roaring with delight. Yet he never crosses the line into cheap theatrics or controversy.

His warrior spirit shines brightest in adversity. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite a serious kidney condition that landed him in the hospital, Tamberi refused to back down. He competed in the final against medical advice, his body battered but his determination unbroken, embodying what it means to honor both himself and his national team.

Throughout his journey – whether bonding with teammates or facing the media spotlight – Gimbo (as fans lovingly call him) has shown the world what it means to compete with both fire and integrity.

The 29th Fair Play Menarini International Award, presented in Fiesole on July 2-3, 2025, honored Tamberi as a beacon of sportsmanship and inspiration. He joined an elite group that included fellow athletics stars Nadia Battocletti and Blanka Vlašić, alongside champions from other sports: Luis Figo, Alessandro Costacurta, Arianna Errigo, Demetrio Albertini, Saša Vujačić, and Alice Bellandi.

This recognition celebrates far more than track achievements. It recognizes Tamberi’s moral compass: his resilience in the face of setbacks, his willingness to share success, and his unwavering respect for coaches, competitors, and fans alike – qualities that embody the sporting spirit the International Prize Fair Play Menarini champions.

Tamberi’s career proves that fair play it’s a way of life built on consistency, authenticity, and generosity. His story sends a powerful message to the next generation: sport isn’t just about winning, it’s about becoming the best version of yourself.