Pope Benedict Addresses the Swimmers of International Swimming Federation
(August 1, 2009) “Sport, practiced with passion and vigilant sense of ethics, especially
the youth, the gym becomes healthy competitive spirit and further physical training
school for human and spiritual values, means of personal growth and contact with the
company,” said Pope Benedict XVI to swimmers and the Swimming Federation. About 700
Swimmers assembled in Rome for the International Swimming Meet along with the members
of the World Swimming Federation on Saturday morning, first of August at the Pope’s
summer residence, Castel Gandolfo. He added that after seeing this world swimming
and admiring the results, it is not difficult to realize how much potential God has
endowed the human body, and what interesting goals it can achieve perfection. The
Pontiff then continued saying that “The sport, each in different ways, help us to
appreciate this gift that God has given us. The Church follows and takes care of sport,
not practiced as an end in itself, but as half as valuable tool for training and perfect
balance of the whole person.” The Pope then encouraged them saying that they the
athletes are models for their peers, and their example may be crucial for them to
build their future positively. He then asked them to be champions in sport and in
life! He encouraged them saying “With your races offer the world a thrilling spectacle
of discipline and humanity, of artistic beauty and tenacious will. Show them what
targets can lead to the vitality of youth, when you can not refuse the fatigue of
hard training and gladly accepted many sacrifices and privations.” Finally, the Holy
Father assured them of the prayers and blessings.