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ROME, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- There are those who have conquered the world with an unforgettable feat, and those who have made their entire careers a model of loyalty and respect. These are the stars of the 30th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award, whose winners were announced today in the Hall of Honour of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).
From football to swimming, fencing and Paralympic skiing, as well as athletics, basketball, speed skating and volleyball: the 2026 edition of the Award brings together champions who have thrilled fans and sports enthusiasts around the world and who also continue to leave their mark outside the field of competition.
"We are delighted to be gathered here in the CONI Hall of Honour, a place steeped in the history of Italian sport and its values, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Fair Play Menarini Award. Thirty years is a significant milestone; it is history: a path built on solid foundations that has honoured many champions - says Luciano Buonfiglio, President of CONI - I'm particularly pleased today because three very young people are being honoured - a message that is more than just about medals. They demonstrate ethics, respect and integrity - important values to be upheld and promoted. These three young people are a fine example of this."
Among the standout names of the 30th edition is Armand Duplantis, world record holder and pole vaulting legend. Representing the world of football will be Gianfranco Zola, one of the most beloved talents in the history of Italian sport. Joining them are Gregorio Paltrinieri, a leading figure in the world of swimming, Achille Polonara, the face of Italian basketball, Antonella Palmisano, queen of race walking, Chiara Mazzel, star of Paralympic skiing, and Daniele Garozzo, Olympic champion and ambassador for Italian fencing.
Also taking the stage at the Fair Play Menarini event will be Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini and Michele Malfatti, key figures in Italy's speed skating successes, together with Simone Anzani, one of the most recognisable faces in Italian volleyball.
On July 2, Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence will host the awards ceremony of the 30th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award. An evening to celebrate some of the best-known figures in international sport, this year broadcast once again in collaboration with Sky TG24. The event will be presented by Rachele Sangiuliano, Michele Cagiano and Omar Schillaci, alongside legendary sports commentators such as Federico Buffa.
Fair play knows no age limits, as demonstrated by Matteo Pasqualetti, Gloria Tinaburri and Alberto Belluzzi, winners of the "Young Athletes" Fair Play Menarini Award. Three young people who remind us all that fair play is a choice we make every day, both in competition and in life.
"For thirty years, the Fair Play Menarini International Award has been celebrating those champions who have left their mark not only through their victories, but also through the way that they approach sport – say Luca Lastrucci, Valeria Speroni Cardi and Filippo Paganelli, Board Members of the Fair Play Menarini Foundation – The stories of this year's award winners remind us that respect, loyalty and fairness remain values with the power to unite different generations and resonate with those who love sport, both on and off the pitch."
Ahead of the grand finale, the run-up to the 30th edition will come to Florence on 15 June with the Special Fiamme Gialle "Study and Sport" Award, dedicated to young talents who succeed in balancing their studies with competitive sport.
ROME, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- There are those who have conquered the world with an unforgettable feat, and those who have made their entire careers a model of loyalty and respect. These are the stars of the 30th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award, whose winners were announced today in the Hall of Honour of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).
From football to swimming, fencing and Paralympic skiing, as well as athletics, basketball, speed skating and volleyball: the 2026 edition of the Award brings together champions who have thrilled fans and sports enthusiasts around the world and who also continue to leave their mark outside the field of competition.
"We are delighted to be gathered here in the CONI Hall of Honour, a place steeped in the history of Italian sport and its values, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Fair Play Menarini Award. Thirty years is a significant milestone; it is history: a path built on solid foundations that has honoured many champions - says Luciano Buonfiglio, President of CONI - I'm particularly pleased today because three very young people are being honoured - a message that is more than just about medals. They demonstrate ethics, respect and integrity - important values to be upheld and promoted. These three young people are a fine example of this."
Among the standout names of the 30th edition is Armand Duplantis, world record holder and pole vaulting legend. Representing the world of football will be Gianfranco Zola, one of the most beloved talents in the history of Italian sport. Joining them are Gregorio Paltrinieri, a leading figure in the world of swimming, Achille Polonara, the face of Italian basketball, Antonella Palmisano, queen of race walking, Chiara Mazzel, star of Paralympic skiing, and Daniele Garozzo, Olympic champion and ambassador for Italian fencing.
Also taking the stage at the Fair Play Menarini event will be Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini and Michele Malfatti, key figures in Italy's speed skating successes, together with Simone Anzani, one of the most recognisable faces in Italian volleyball.
On July 2, Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence will host the awards ceremony of the 30th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award. An evening to celebrate some of the best-known figures in international sport, this year broadcast once again in collaboration with Sky TG24. The event will be presented by Rachele Sangiuliano, Michele Cagiano and Omar Schillaci, alongside legendary sports commentators such as Federico Buffa.
Fair play knows no age limits, as demonstrated by Matteo Pasqualetti, Gloria Tinaburri and Alberto Belluzzi, winners of the "Young Athletes" Fair Play Menarini Award. Three young people who remind us all that fair play is a choice we make every day, both in competition and in life.
"For thirty years, the Fair Play Menarini International Award has been celebrating those champions who have left their mark not only through their victories, but also through the way that they approach sport – say Luca Lastrucci, Valeria Speroni Cardi and Filippo Paganelli, Board Members of the Fair Play Menarini Foundation – The stories of this year's award winners remind us that respect, loyalty and fairness remain values with the power to unite different generations and resonate with those who love sport, both on and off the pitch."
Ahead of the grand finale, the run-up to the 30th edition will come to Florence on 15 June with the Special Fiamme Gialle "Study and Sport" Award, dedicated to young talents who succeed in balancing their studies with competitive sport.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
FROM DUPLANTIS TO PALTRINIERI, FAIR PLAY MENARINI KICKS OFF ITS 30TH EDITION
FROM DUPLANTIS TO PALTRINIERI, FAIR PLAY MENARINI KICKS OFF ITS 30TH EDITION
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The partnership unites two organizations with New Zealand roots and growing global profiles at a moment when both are expanding their presence on the international stage
SAN FRANCISCO and AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ivo, the leading platform for AI contract intelligence, today announced a partnership with New Zealand Football to become the Official Legal AI Partner of the All Whites, New Zealand's men's national team.
The collaboration reflects Ivo's continued connection to its New Zealand origins as the company expands its global footprint. Founded in Auckland and now headquartered in San Francisco, Ivo helps global enterprises, including Meta, Uber, IBM, Shopify, and Mitsubishi Electric, accelerate contract workflows and surface critical business intelligence locked inside their contract portfolios.
As part of the partnership, Ivo branding will appear on the front of the All Whites' training and press kit as the team prepares to compete on the sport's biggest international stage, as well as across select New Zealand Football initiatives. New Zealand Football will exclusively use Ivo's contract intelligence platform to draft, review, and analyze all their teams' agreements.
The announcement arrives alongside a wave of global momentum for Ivo, which has grown ARR sixfold in the last 12 months and has recently opened offices in London and New York.
"As a New Zealand-founded company, we know what it takes to build something and take it to the world stage," said Min-Kyu Jung, CEO and co-founder of Ivo. "Standing with the All Whites as they prepare for one of the most significant moments in the program's history is something we're really proud of."
Andrew Pragnell, Chief Executive of New Zealand Football, said: "Ivo is a real Kiwi success story of a company taking on the world, and that's exactly what we strive to do every time our national teams step onto the field. It's exciting to partner with a New Zealand-founded company experiencing strong global growth while remaining connected to its roots. We look forward to working together and supporting each other's continued success."
About Ivo
Ivo is an enterprise-grade AI-powered contract intelligence platform that enables legal and business teams to move faster, reduce risk, and unlock revenue by turning contracts into actionable business intelligence. Founded in New Zealand and headquartered in San Francisco, Ivo helps organizations surface risk instantly, accelerate negotiation cycles, and remove bottlenecks across the contract lifecycle. Customers include leading global enterprises and high-growth companies across multiple industries.
About New Zealand Football
New Zealand Football oversees the beautiful game in Aotearoa New Zealand. From a player's first experience of football at a young age through the development pathway to national competitions, refereeing, coaching, administration, and ultimately representing New Zealand on the international stage, New Zealand Football supports every level of the game.
Football is the largest team participation sport in the country, with more than 180,000 registered players in 2025.
New Zealand Football manages national men's and women's football, futsal, and eFootball leagues and cup competitions.
As the highest-ranked member association in the Oceania Football Confederation, New Zealand Football runs 10 national team programmes, including the men's national team, the All Whites, and the women's national team, the Ford Football Ferns.
Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2995230/Ivo_Logo_Full_Ivy_2x_Logo.jpg?p=medium600
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2995231/Tim_Payne_NZF_3a.jpg?p=medium600
The partnership unites two organizations with New Zealand roots and growing global profiles at a moment when both are expanding their presence on the international stage
SAN FRANCISCO and AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ivo, the leading platform for AI contract intelligence, today announced a partnership with New Zealand Football to become the Official Legal AI Partner of the All Whites, New Zealand's men's national team.
The collaboration reflects Ivo's continued connection to its New Zealand origins as the company expands its global footprint. Founded in Auckland and now headquartered in San Francisco, Ivo helps global enterprises, including Meta, Uber, IBM, Shopify, and Mitsubishi Electric, accelerate contract workflows and surface critical business intelligence locked inside their contract portfolios.
As part of the partnership, Ivo branding will appear on the front of the All Whites' training and press kit as the team prepares to compete on the sport's biggest international stage, as well as across select New Zealand Football initiatives. New Zealand Football will exclusively use Ivo's contract intelligence platform to draft, review, and analyze all their teams' agreements.
The announcement arrives alongside a wave of global momentum for Ivo, which has grown ARR sixfold in the last 12 months and has recently opened offices in London and New York.
"As a New Zealand-founded company, we know what it takes to build something and take it to the world stage," said Min-Kyu Jung, CEO and co-founder of Ivo. "Standing with the All Whites as they prepare for one of the most significant moments in the program's history is something we're really proud of."
Andrew Pragnell, Chief Executive of New Zealand Football, said: "Ivo is a real Kiwi success story of a company taking on the world, and that's exactly what we strive to do every time our national teams step onto the field. It's exciting to partner with a New Zealand-founded company experiencing strong global growth while remaining connected to its roots. We look forward to working together and supporting each other's continued success."
About Ivo
Ivo is an enterprise-grade AI-powered contract intelligence platform that enables legal and business teams to move faster, reduce risk, and unlock revenue by turning contracts into actionable business intelligence. Founded in New Zealand and headquartered in San Francisco, Ivo helps organizations surface risk instantly, accelerate negotiation cycles, and remove bottlenecks across the contract lifecycle. Customers include leading global enterprises and high-growth companies across multiple industries.
About New Zealand Football
New Zealand Football oversees the beautiful game in Aotearoa New Zealand. From a player's first experience of football at a young age through the development pathway to national competitions, refereeing, coaching, administration, and ultimately representing New Zealand on the international stage, New Zealand Football supports every level of the game.
Football is the largest team participation sport in the country, with more than 180,000 registered players in 2025.
New Zealand Football manages national men's and women's football, futsal, and eFootball leagues and cup competitions.
As the highest-ranked member association in the Oceania Football Confederation, New Zealand Football runs 10 national team programmes, including the men's national team, the All Whites, and the women's national team, the Ford Football Ferns.
Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2995230/Ivo_Logo_Full_Ivy_2x_Logo.jpg?p=medium600
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2995231/Tim_Payne_NZF_3a.jpg?p=medium600
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Kiwi-Born Legal AI Company Ivo Partners with New Zealand Football as Global Expansion Accelerates
