“BARTALI & GIMONDI: Champions for Peace”, Firenze

“BARTALI & GIMONDI: Champions for Peace”
Florence & Bagno a Ripoli, Tuesday, June 25, 2024

On the occasion of the departure of the Tour de France from Florence, Ars Pace and Panathlon International Area 6 Tuscany organized the event “BARTALI & GIMONDI: Champions for Peace” on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Florence and Bagno a Ripoli, with the participation of prominent figures from the worlds of institutions, sports, and culture.
The initiative had the patronage of the Municipality of Bagno a Ripoli, CONI Tuscany, Panathlon Club Florence, Panathlon Club Firenze Medicea, and La Nazione.
The event began at 2:30 PM with a special tribute to Gino Bartali, with the laying of a wreath wrapped in a tricolour sash at the Gino Bartali Cycling Museum at Via Chiantigiana 177. Bartali’s (1938/48 Tour de France) and Gimondi’s (1973 World Championship) jerseys were also on display, along with Bartali’s and Gimondi’s bicycles from the Tino Sana Museum in Bergamo. The original 2004/6 Parliamentary Cycling Team jersey was donated and placed on the tricolour bicycle previously donated by Monica Baldi, team captain and President of the Lega Gruppi Ciclismo Professionistico.
At 4:00 pm, the lively conference moderated by journalist Gianfranco Josti took place, in the Council Chamber of the Municipality of Bagno a Ripoli, with greetings from Mayor Francesco Pignotti, Ars Pace President Enrique Barón Crespo, and Panathlon Toscana Area 6 Governor Andrea Da Roit. Speakers also included: Ars Pace Vice President Monica Baldi; Francesco Casini; CONI National Councilor Norma Gimondi (Felice’s daughter), along with Gioia Bartali (Gino’s granddaughter), and the great champion Silvio Martinello.
Vice President Baldi stated: “Peace is built every day and demonstrated through actions, with courage, respect, solidarity, perseverance, and determination, as the champions Bartali and Gimondi generously demonstrated, instilling positive and inclusive values in us through sport and in their daily lives.”