When Bergomi "ran" for "Love & Life"

Photos sometimes... speak. That of a young, but already world champion, Giuseppe Bergomi with the shirt "Love & Life" it is undoubtedly a rare relic. A sort of pink Gronchi in the immense heritage that is constituted by the Fanini museum directed by Stefano Bendinelli and which represents a window on the history of Cycling, with all that Ivan Fanini, patron of various teams, has built in the world of racing on two-wheeled pedals. It was Ivano Fanini who found this image in his spatial archive.

"We were in Milan - explains the owner - . I had founded "Amore & Vita", as you all know, choosing the name together with Pope Wojtyla and the president at the time, Formigoni, told me about a special event in which sports champions, singers and other VIPs would participate. The singer-DJ Ringo was also there. It was a real bicycle race. He told me to bring my team's shirts to take photos and this one is a pair with that of the Ferrari driver, Leclerc in Viareggio, very young with our shirt. After a long time it came up and made me think back to that period".

A photo that will probably be celebrated on June 3rd, when the former Inter captain himself, winner of the record-breaking Scudetto and three UEFA Cups, as well as one of the most appreciated Sky TV commentators, will be a guest at the "Loyalty to Sport Award" curated by Valter Nieri, at the "Country Club" of Gragnano, for the 26th edition.

Excellent names are already emerging who will receive the golden sphinx minted by Giampaolo Bianchi. Among these, in addition to "Uncle" (Bergomi's historical nickname), Roberto Donadoni, a multi-decorated champion of Milan (6 league titles, three Champions Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 3 European Super Cups), before embarking on a career as a coach. He also had a long militia in blue, as a player, with 63 appearances and 5 goals and then also as coach. Bergomi will also receive the third prize in memory of Gigi Simoni. Among the guests there should also be Patrizio Oliva, boxing champion.

Last year, the event surpassed the threshold of 500 people who have, over time, received the golden sphinx, including 41 Olympic champions in 34 events, including, in some seasons, the awarding of emerging young people. The honorary president, Stefano Gori, the "baronet" of Lucca's sport, will not be missing. Nieri is working for the other guests of the event, all big names in sport.

Massimo Stefanini