• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Science
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech
Vatican cyclist spreading the pope’s message at worlds

Vatican cyclist spreading the pope’s message at worlds

September 23, 2022
Rep. George Santos tells colleagues he won’t serve on House committees

Rep. George Santos tells colleagues he won’t serve on House committees

January 31, 2023
Dave Durenberger, Censured by Senate in Ethics Breach, Dies at 88

Dave Durenberger, Censured by Senate in Ethics Breach, Dies at 88

January 31, 2023
Black Americans Are Much More Likely to Face Tax Audits, Study Finds

Black Americans Are Much More Likely to Face Tax Audits, Study Finds

January 31, 2023
The 20-inch Pokémon Squishmallows are absolutely massive

The 20-inch Pokémon Squishmallows are absolutely massive

January 31, 2023
El Chapo’s Son Had an Anti-Aircraft Gun In His Bedroom

El Chapo’s Son Had an Anti-Aircraft Gun In His Bedroom

January 31, 2023
Bonnie Raitt Heads to the Grammys, Recognized as a Songwriter at Last

Bonnie Raitt Heads to the Grammys, Recognized as a Songwriter at Last

January 31, 2023
Watch ‘Poor, Cold, Scared Wombat’ Rescued From Tree Stump in Middle of Lake

Watch ‘Poor, Cold, Scared Wombat’ Rescued From Tree Stump in Middle of Lake

January 31, 2023
Superman in Starring Role as DC Studios Unveils Strategy

Superman in Starring Role as DC Studios Unveils Strategy

January 31, 2023
Peter Chernin Content Studio North Road Secures $150 Million From Qatar Investment Authority

Peter Chernin Content Studio North Road Secures $150 Million From Qatar Investment Authority

January 31, 2023
US states propose Colorado River cuts, California lone holdout

US states propose Colorado River cuts, California lone holdout

January 31, 2023
South Carolina grandmother accused of helping grandson cover up murder

South Carolina grandmother accused of helping grandson cover up murder

January 31, 2023
Iran and Russia move toward linking their banking systems, helping both withstand Western sanctions.

Iran and Russia move toward linking their banking systems, helping both withstand Western sanctions.

January 31, 2023
DNYUZ
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Television
    • Theater
    • Gaming
    • Sports
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
DNYUZ
No Result
View All Result
Home News World Australia

Vatican cyclist spreading the pope’s message at worlds

September 23, 2022
in Australia, News, Sports
Vatican cyclist spreading the pope’s message at worlds
510
SHARES
1.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

VATICAN CITY — A plain white helmet like the pope’s skullcap.

The Holy See’s crossed keys seal stamped on his white and yellow jersey over his heart.

Dutch-born cyclist Rien Schuurhuis will carry an enormous sense of duty when he races for the Vatican in Sunday’s road race at the cycling world championships in Wollongong, Australia — marking a first in the city-state’s increasing use of sports as an instrument of dialogue, peace and solidarity.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Schuurhuis told The Associated Press in a phone interview from Australia on Friday. “I think the real emotion is still yet to come when I’m standing there at the start line.

“This is a great first step in the direction of what the pope believes in achieving through sports (with) inclusiveness and fraternity,” Schuurhuis added. “Everyone on the sports field — or on the roads in this case — is equal, no matter their backgrounds, religion or age.”

Vatican athletes have recently participated as non-scoring competitors in the Games of the Small States of Europe — open to nations with fewer than 1 million people — and the Mediterranean Games.

The cycling worlds mark the first time that a Vatican athlete will compete as a regular scoring competitor, after the International Cycling Union recognized the Holy See as its 200th member last year.

“As Pope Francis said when he met with a group of riders in 2019, the beautiful thing about cycling is that when you drop behind because you’ve fallen or because you punctured your tire, your teammates slow down and help you catch up with the main pack,” said Athletica Vaticana president Giampaolo Mattei, who oversees the team. “That’s something that should carry over to life in general.”

The 40-year-old Schuurhuis qualified for the team because he is married to Australia’s ambassador to the Vatican, Chiara Porro.

He holds Dutch and Australian passports but athletically now represents the Vatican.

“I was able to ride a bike before I could walk” Schuurhuis said about growing up in the cycling-crazy Netherlands.

Schuurhuis previously raced on the UCI’s Continental Circuit, one level below the elite World Tour.

“He’s a good cyclist. That’s a high level,” said Valerio Agnoli, Schuurhuis’ volunteer coach and a former teammate of Grand Tour winners Ivan Basso and Vincenzo Nibali.

Schuurhuis, whose day job is now running a company that supplies materials for 3D printers, trains on Rome’s traffic-clogged roads. He sometimes heads out to the Alban Hills, where the pope’s traditional summer residence is at Castel Gandolfo.

Besides a recent photo opp, Schuurhuis doesn’t really ride inside the Vatican.

“I think I did it once with my son,” he said. “But it’s not really allowed to go through St. Peter’s Square. So I think we were told off by the police.”

Schuurhuis doesn’t expect to come close to winning. His main goal is to spread the pope’s message.

Like when he participated in a church event with Indigenous Australians on Friday, or when Belgian standout Wout van Aert sought him out during training a day earlier.

“When people see that very special white and yellow jersey it makes them curious,” Agnoli said.

Agnoli noted how cycling takes place on open roads, passes by people’s homes and isn’t restricted to paying ticketholders inside a stadium or arena.

“That’s the great thing about cycling,” Agnoli said. “I was chosen by the Vatican for this job because my role as a cyclist was that of a team helper. I helped teammates win the Giro d’Italia and the Spanish Vuelta.”

In another example of the values held within cycling, Mattei pointed to how Gino Bartali, the 1938 Tour de France winner who smuggled forged documents inside his bicycle frame to help rescue Jews during Germany’s occupation of Italy in World War II, is currently being considered for beatification by the Vatican, the first step to possible sainthood.

Vatican officials would like to one day field a team in the Olympics.

“To go to the Olympics would require creating an Olympic committee and being recognized by the International Olympic Committee,” Mattei said. “That takes time.”

Competing in a world championships, however, is a big step toward Olympic participation.

So will the pope be watching Schuurhuis on TV?

“The time difference presents a problem,” Mattei said, noting that the race in Australia starts at 2:15 a.m. Vatican time and that Pope Francis is traveling to the southern Italian city of Matera on Sunday. “But maybe he’ll watch a replay.”

___

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

___

Andrew Dampf is at https://twitter.com/AndrewDampf

The post Vatican cyclist spreading the pope’s message at worlds appeared first on Associated Press.

Tags: AP Top NewsAustraliaaustralia olympic teamCyclingNetherlands Olympic TeamReligionSportsSports - EuropeVatican CityWinter Olympics
Share204Tweet128Share

Trending Posts

Macron tells French government to ‘man the front lines’ during pension strike

Macron tells French government to ‘man the front lines’ during pension strike

January 31, 2023
How the Supreme Court Protects Police Officers

How the Supreme Court Protects Police Officers

January 31, 2023
UK gov’t facing High Court battle over arms sales to Saudi Arabia

UK gov’t facing High Court battle over arms sales to Saudi Arabia

January 31, 2023
Why the French Are Protesting Macron’s Pension Overhaul, Again

Why the French Are Protesting Macron’s Pension Overhaul, Again

January 31, 2023
What it’s like to face ‘benevolent sexism’ in the workplace

What it’s like to face ‘benevolent sexism’ in the workplace

January 31, 2023

Copyright © 2023.

Site Navigation

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Gaming
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Sports
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel

Copyright © 2023.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT