Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Wednesday 20 september
Giro start in Israel to go from Jerusalem to Red Sea

By ARON HELLER outdoor scenery, sharing
Associated Press our history and our cul-
JERUSALEM (AP) — Wind- ture and most of all, our
ing its way around the people,” Adams said.
walls of Jerusalem’s Old In recent years, Israel has
City, through modern been promoting itself as
Tel Aviv then the Negev an elite sporting event
desert down to the Red destination.
Sea, the start of next It recently hosted one
year’s Giro d’Italia will of the opening rounds
highlight Israel’s history, of the Eurobasket tour-
culture and varied to- nament and is set to
pography. host the European judo
Details of the 2018 race, championships and the
which will mark the first lacrosse world champi-
time a cycling Grand onships next year.
Tour is held outside of Eu- Tourism Minister Yariv
rope, were unveiled by Levin said this was part
organizers in Jerusalem of a “revolution in mar-
on Monday. keting Israel as a des-
After a 10.1-kilometer tination for leisure and
(6.3-mile) opening time In this May 28, 2017 file photo, Tom Dumoulin, of the Netherlands, holds up the trophy after winning tourism.”Italian Sport
trial in Jerusalem, the the Giro d’Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Milan. Minister Luca Lotti said
167-kilometer (104-mile) Associated Press the “start from Jerusa-
second stage will go that Israel was selected The Giro is one of cy- Its arrival in Israel is the lem is a metaphorical
down the Mediterra- to host the race be- cling’s top three stage result of the lobbying ef- bridge between our two
nean coast from Haifa cause of its “history and races along with the Tour forts of Sylvan Adams, a lands, made up of histo-
to Tel Aviv. uniqueness.” de France and the Span- Canadian-Israeli cycling ry, culture and traditions.
Stage 3 will follow a “Every year the Giro tells ish Vuelta. It’s being la- enthusiast who conjured ”Contador arrived in Is-
lengthy 226-kilometer the stories of places of beled as the biggest and the idea to coincide with rael after ending his ca-
(140-mile) route from great interest,” he said. most prestigious sporting Israel’s marking 70 years reer in front of his home
Beersheba in the Negev “The territories crossed event ever held in Is- of independence. crowd at the Vuelta.
desert down to Israel’s by the stages in Israel will rael and is expected to “While a bicycle race Considered one of
southern tip of Eilat along show to the world tradi- draw tens of thousands will be taking place, this Spain’s greatest riders,
the Red Sea.Flanked by tion, culture and beauti- of tourists and cycling historic big start of the the 34-year-old Con-
Italian and Israeli minis- ful landscape.” enthusiasts.In its 101-year 101st edition of the Giro tador won that event
ters and former cycling More than 175 of the history, the Giro has pre- is about showcasing our three times, along with
greats Alberto Contador world’s best cyclists will viously opened a dozen country to hundreds of the Tour de France twice
and Ivan Basso, Giro di- arrive in Israel to kick off times outside Italy but millions of TV and live and the Giro d’Italia
rector Mauro Vegni said the race on May 4. never outside Europe. spectators, our beautiful twice. q
AP Interview: Phelps has ‘no

desire’ to return to swimming

pet food campaign, Phelps Olympic history added to at Budapest. The 21-year-
said he is excited about his already massive ca- old Floridian joined Phelps
the birth of his second child reer haul by claiming five and Mark Spitz as the only
and numerous opportuni- gold medals plus a silver. A swimmers to accomplish
ties away from the pool. few months ago, he con- that feat at a major inter-
It was around this time four ceded to the AP that he national meet.“I’m happy
years ago when Phelps got was eager to see how he Caeleb decided to go
serious about ending his would feel about a possible off this year instead of last
first retirement, but he now comeback after this year’s year,” Phelps joked. “I’m
seems content with his de- world championships in Bu- kind of happy to see him
cision to step away again dapest, Hungary.Turns out, swimming so well when I’m
In this Aug. 7, 2016, file photo United States swimmer Michael after the Rio Olympics. it had no impact. not there.”With Dressel and
Phelps encourages his teammates in the final of the men’s His wife, Nicole, is about Phelps said watching others Katie Ledecky now leading
4x100-meter freestyle relay during the swimming competitions four months pregnant. The compete “truly didn’t kick the American team, the
at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. couple already have a anything off or spike any U.S. is expected to remain
Associated Press 16-month-old son, Boomer. more interest in coming out the world’s dominant swim-

“I’ve got no desire, no de- of retirement again.” ming country heading into
By PAUL NEWBERRY with the sport and cheer sire to come back,” the He is eager to follow the the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
AP Sports Writer on those who follow in his 32-year-old Phelps said flat- development of his heir Even without Phelps.
Michael Phelps says he enormous wake. ly.Phelps has attended a apparent, Caeleb Dres- “It’s time to kind of move
has “no desire” to return to In an interview Tuesday handful of swimming meets sel, who emerged as the on,” he said, “and watch
competitive swimming, but with The Associated Press since the Rio Games, where sport’s newest star by win- other people come into
he is eager to stay involved while promoting a healthy the winningest athlete in ning seven gold medals their own.”q