Fifteen years after being honored as ‘Righteous Among the Nations’ by Israel for his efforts to save Jews during WWII, Italian cyclist Gino Bartali has now been made an honorary citizen of the country. The honor comes as the Big Start of the 101st edition of the Giro d’Italia makes the race’s first ever start outside of Europe in Israel.
Yad Vashem chairman Avner Shalev presented the certificate of Commemorative Citizenship to Bartali’s grand-daughter, Gioia Bartali, in the presence of Italian ambassador to Israel Gianluigi Benedetti and Honorary President of Giro d’Italia Big Start Sylvan Adams.
Big Start Opening Press Conference
The Giro d’Italia 2018 Big Start opening Press Conference was held this morning at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem Headquarters. The Israeli authorities welcomed the Giro d’Italia in Jerusalem.
The speakers were Miri Regev, Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sport; Yariv Levin, Israel’s Minister of Tourism; Zeev Elkin, Israel’s Minister of Jerusalem and Heritage; Zohar Dvir, Israel’s Deputy Police Commissioner; Sylvan Adams, Honorary President Big Start Israel; Daniel Benaim, Project Director Big Start Israel and Comtecgroup CEO; Paolo Bellino, RCS Sport Managing Director; and Mauro Vegni, Giro d’Italia Director.
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