Caretaker Youth and Sports Minister Dimitar Iliev stated on Monday that the planned three stages of the Giro d’Italia cycling race in Bulgaria are intended to stimulate youth interest in the sport. Speaking at the opening of the “Cycling in Sofia” photo exhibition, organized by the Sofia Municipality and the Sofia – European Capital of Sports Foundation, Iliev highlighted the magnitude of the undertaking. He noted that such a large-scale sporting event is unprecedented in Bulgaria’s history, crediting the involvement of numerous institutions, municipalities, and sports professionals.
Iliev emphasized the positive impacts of the race, particularly its potential to showcase Bulgarian scenery, which he described as remarkable due to the current season’s greenery. Furthermore, he predicted a significant boost to tourism from the global viewership expected. Crucially, he expressed hope that the event would inspire many young people to engage with cycling, calling it both a fantastic sport and a viable means of transport.
The minister acknowledged that preparing the necessary infrastructure, especially for the second stage, presented a considerable challenge, but confirmed its successful completion. He stated his confidence that the event would create lasting positive memories. Iliev added that municipalities are organizing supplementary events nationwide.
He cautioned the public about expected road closures in the coming days and advised citizens to consult an information campaign for travel planning.
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