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.