Parma, 12 February 2024 - It has become a tradition in the city of Parma to elect the Athlete of the Year: an initiative conceived and organized by the Parma section of the National Union of Sports Veterans in collaboration with the Panathlon Club Parma, adding significant value to sports in Parma. Each month, the jury of the award, organized with the Gazzetta di Parma, Radio, and 12Tv Parma, selects a sports champion based on their performance in the field. After twelve months, the final vote takes place, with the judgment of a hundred sports figures ready to declare the Athlete of the Year.

The Athlete of the Month and Athlete of the Year events in the sports scene of Parma have for several years been a significant focal point for youth activity, bringing visibility to budding champions who, season after season, become established figures in their respective sports. The 2023 edition took place in the Conference Hall of Palazzo Soragna, the headquarters of the Parmense Industrialists Union. Representing Parma Calcio was Captain Enrico Delprato, who was awarded the prize for September 2023, presented by the President of the National Union of Sports Veterans, Andrea Barella.

Numerous champions attended representing their various sporting events, among them Ayomide Folorunso, the Italian hurdles champion, celebrated by the Director of the Gazzetta di Parma, Claudio Rinaldi, with the prestigious award of Parmense Athlete of the Year 2023. The event was held in a packed hall with representatives from the city of Parma, including Gabriele Buia (President of the Parmense Industrialists Union), Fausto Ferretti (President of the Gazzetta di Parma), Andrea Pagliaro (Provincial Commander of the Carabinieri of Parma), and Katia Grenga (Commander of the Traffic Police of Parma), with Artemio Carra and Stefano Frigeri, the two Presidents of the Panathlon of Parma, hosting the event.

Captain of Parma Calcio, Enrico Delprato, commented: 'It is an honor to receive this recognition, which encapsulates the technical and human qualities of an athlete and a sportsman. This makes me even prouder. Sport brings people together and is the source of many emotions, which is why I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to Ayo Folorunso for the emotions she provided us at the recent Athletics World Championships and to all the other athletes here today. I conclude with a wish, that next year, the team of which I am captain today, may be awarded as the Athlete of the Year 2024. This is because, with 14 hurdles yet to overcome, our group is working determinedly to bring an entire city back to where it deserves to be.'

Here is the complete list of winners:

Athlete of the Year 2023: Ayomide Folorunso

Monthly Awardees for the year 2023:

- Davide Belletti, ice swimming (January)

- Aurora Vicini, high jump, athletics (February)

- Mattia Pinazzi, cycling (March)

- Alessia Ferraguti, swimming (April)

- Real Sala Baganza, football (May)

- Tobia Bocchi, triple jump, athletics (June)

- Panthers Parma, American Football (July)

- Ayomide Folorunso, 400 hurdles, athletics (August)

- Enrico Delprato, football (September)

- Thomas Pesenti, cycling (October)

- Illias Aouani, marathon, athletics (November)

- Gaia Rotolo and Ines Pelati, gymnastics (December)