Italian Cyclist Gino Bartali Honoured as Righteous Among the Nations
Gino Bartali, Italian and world cycling legend, multi-winner of the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, aided in saving around 800 Jews during German occupation.
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Born in 1914 in Florence, Gino Bartali was deeply religious. In the autumn of 1941, when Germany occupied Italy, Bartali became involved in aiding Jews as part of a plan initiated by Archbishop Dalla Costa, Rabbi Nathan Cassuto, as well as other clergy.
Under the pretext of cycling training, Bartali delivered false Aryan papers to Jews hiding within Italy. It is estimated that, in this manner, he helped around 800 people. He hid the documents in the handlebars and saddle of his bicycle. He also sheltered Jews in his home in Florence.
During the occupation, Bartali did not speak of his activities even to those closest to him. His activities only came to light after his death in 2000.
