(CNN) The memory of Gino Bartali, the champion cyclist who risked his life to save hundreds of Italian Jews during the Holocaust, is set to be honored with the establishment with a youth leadership school in his name. Italian Bartali, one of the world's leading cyclists during the 1930s winning three Giro d'Italia titles and the 1938 Tour de France, used the handlebars on his bike to hide counterfeit identity papers, delivering them to Jews in hiding and handing over exit visas which allowed them to escape transportation to the death camps. Bartali rides uphill in the Col de la Forclaz on his way to winning the 15th stage of the Tour de France between Aix-les-Bains and Lausanne (Switzerland) on July 18, 1948. Bartali, who passed away at the age of 85, is credited with saving the lives of 800 people. The announcement of the new venture was made Thursday, on Yom Hashoah, a day where Israel remembers the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War II.

Source: CNN May 02, 2019 10:52 UTC