When sport and values come together, some stories go far beyond medals. The story of Rigivan Ganeshamoorthy, honoured at the 29th edition of the Fair Play Menarini International Award, is one of them. It is a journey defined by courage, sacrifice, and a calm, contagious positivity that turns adversity into strength.

Known to everyone simply as “Rigi,” Ganeshamoorthy has quickly become one of the most beloved figures in Italian athletics. Born in Rome in 1999 to a family of Tamil origin, he enjoyed a carefree childhood until 2017, when his life changed suddenly following a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Two years later, a cervical injury caused by a fall left him tetraplegic. But even in the most difficult moments, Rigi never stopped looking ahead, setting new goals and refusing to let hardship define his future.

Before finding his true path, he explored several sports: wheelchair basketball, fencing, and anything that could restore the rush of competition. It was athletics, however, and more specifically the throwing events, that gave him the perfect balance of technique, focus, and expression. In a discipline where strength must be guided by control, Rigi found the space to rebuild himself. He entered his first competitions in 2020, won his first Italian title in 2023, and from that point on, his career followed a steady upward trajectory filled with emotion and achievement.

The turning point came at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Competing in the F52 discus throw, Ganeshamoorthy claimed gold while rewriting the Paralympic world record three times in a single event, with throws of 25.48 m, 25.80 m, and an extraordinary 27.06 m. The scale of his achievement becomes even more remarkable considering that this was only his third international competition—and that the second-place athlete finished more than six metres behind.

What truly sets Rigi apart, however, is not only the power of his throws, but the way he experiences success. He celebrates every victory with spontaneity, humour, and genuine gratitude. His post-final interview in Paris quickly went viral on television and social media for its authenticity: few words, many smiles, and a warm mention of a small but meaningful detail: a unicorn-shaped sticker on his wheelchair, a gift from fellow athlete Martina Caironi. A lucky charm he affectionately named “Martì.”

A simple gesture, perhaps, but one that speaks volumes about the spirit that unites great champions. Among athletes, support is also expressed through shared symbols and quiet acts of encouragement. Caironi, herself a Fair Play Menarini Ambassador since 2013, embodies the same sporting values that now connect their stories: respect, humility, and solidarity.

Receiving the Fair Play Menarini Award 2025 in the Sport Beyond Sport category was more than a personal honour: it was recognition that Rigi’s journey, both on and off the track, has become a source of inspiration. Because true sporting greatness is measured not only in metres and medals, but in the ability to inspire others.

Today, through his records and his natural, disarming authenticity, Rigivan Ganeshamoorthy perfectly embodies the spirit of Fair Play Menarini: competing at the highest level while never losing sight of what truly matters.