Beverly Hills, CA – September 17, 2025 — The City of Beverly Hills welcomed the second edition of Italian Sports Day in the World, an initiative organized in collaboration with the Italian institutions in Los Angeles and the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) to celebrate Italian excellence in sport, innovation, and culture abroad.
Held at Roxbury Park, the event brought together representatives of Italy’s vibrant community of athletes, researchers, and entrepreneurs making a global impact. Special thanks were extended by the Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, Raffaella Valentini, to Beverly Hills Mayor Dr. Sharona Nazarian for her support and warm hospitality.
Three distinguished guests were featured during the event:
- Sofia Cantore, forward for the Washington Spirit and Italy’s national football team, recently named Italian Sports Ambassador by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation;
- Fabrizio Gamberini, representing Vibram, a pioneering Italian company in innovative sports footwear design;
- Dr. Maura Fanti, researcher at USC’s Longevity Institute, working alongside world-renowned Professor Valter Longo.
Moderated by Italian sports journalist Veronica Maffei, the panel highlighted how scientific research, innovative industry, and athletic performance come together to shape a holistic vision of wellness and excellence. Italian athletes and professionals abroad are becoming true “sports diplomats,” promoting not only performance but also Italian values and identity.
The celebration also looked ahead to major international milestones, including the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games, united by a shared vision of sustainability, inclusion, and cross-cultural cooperation.
“Italian Sports Day is more than a celebration—it’s a strategic moment to reflect on how sport connects people, economies, and futures,” said Consul General Valentini. “From Italy to the world, we are proud to see how Italian excellence thrives and inspires on the global stage.”
“Beverly Hills is honored to be the host city of this extraordinary event, where sport unites people across the world and embodies the very spirit of unity that defines our city,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian. “As a city with global recognition that has long stood for luxury, creativity and unity, we celebrate Italian excellence and look forward to a continued partnership that strengthens our communities and reflects the best of who we are.”
The event reaffirmed the power of sport as a unifying force — one that builds community, promotes wellbeing, and fosters international understanding.
