Italian Heroes: Part 7 from "My Italian Secret"

Transcript

Speaker 1

End of 44 my mother came to the convent and took me out. And brought me to the same cellar. In which they were hiding. Gino Bartali saved my life and the life of my family that clear because they were not hidden in this cellar. They didn't have a place to go. And so we were saved because we were friends of Gino Bartali, but not only Gino Bartali. A big part of the Italians in that place, they saved Jews. It's hard to explain why they did it, but the most of the Italians were saved just because people who even didn't know them. Just could not understand why you should kill somebody just because he's a little different.

Speaker 2

In 1948, against all odds, his strongest years lost to the war, Gino Bartali triumphs again in the Tour de France, 10 years after his first win. His victory helps unite and Italy struggling to get back on its feet. But Bartley is reticent if asked, about his wartime activities when there is a rumor floating of his connection with Assisi and the resistance. He shrugs it off, saying his silence is out of respect for those who risked more than he did.

Speaker 1

Some metals aren't meant to be worn on your shirt. But on your soul.