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WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA
A UNIQUE EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF WORLD SPORT – OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE VATICAN
While preparing the World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia, it is essential to highlight an exceptional event in the history of world sport – the Official Visit of the President of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, to the Vatican.
The Beginning of the Visit to the Vatican
While developing international sports relations, in early April 2011 the President of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, visited Poland, Germany, France, Monaco, Italy, and Slovakia. During his stay in Monaco, he received a telephone call from Italy informing him that an official visit to the Vatican had been arranged. Shortly thereafter, he departed for Italy.
Before the official visit, a meeting was organized with a representative of the Vatican in Italy, during which the forthcoming program and scheduled meetings were discussed.
The Vatican Recognized the Struggle for Bodybuilding Recognition
The Vatican is not only the center of the Roman Catholic Church but also the sovereign State of Vatican City. In 2011, an official meeting was organized in the Vatican to present the worldwide activities of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation.
During the meeting, His Eminence Cardinal Jozef Tomko listened with great interest to the history of bodybuilding development and the struggle for recognition of the sport during the period when bodybuilding was prohibited in many countries of the Socialist Bloc. Appreciating these long-standing efforts and activities, Cardinal Jozef Tomko referred to the leaders of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. as “dissidents of the Communist regime.”
Particularly impressive was the Vatican State’s positive evaluation of the federation’s efforts to promote physical activity, health, fitness, and bodybuilding throughout the world.
In recognition of their contribution to the development of the international sports movement, His Eminence Cardinal Jozef Tomko presented the original Vatican Pontifical Medals, Medaglia Ufficiale di Pontificato di Sua Santità Benedetto XVI, to:
• Dr. Edmundas Daubaras – President of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation;
• Stefan Hrčka (Slovakia) – Honorary Official of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation.
The awards were presented on March 29, 2011, at the Headquarters of the Vatican City State.
Acquaintance with the Historical Treasures of the Vatican
During the official visit, Father Paolo, a representative of the Vatican Administration, introduced the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. delegation to the Vatican administrative headquarters, the historic archives, and the repositories housing personal belongings of various Pontiffs that possess exceptional historical value.
On the following morning, at St. Peter’s Basilica, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras was invited to participate in a unique personal Holy Mass. This event became a significant historical milestone in the development of the international bodybuilding movement and an important symbol of international recognition for the activities of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation.
Historical Significance
The official visit of Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, President of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation, to the Vatican in 2011 became an outstanding event not only in the history of the federation but also in the broader history of international bodybuilding. During this visit, representatives of the Vatican State officially became acquainted with the activities, history, and efforts of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. to promote physical activity, fitness, and bodybuilding throughout the world.
Particularly significant was the high appreciation expressed by Vatican officials for the federation’s work and for the contribution of its leaders in defending the right of bodybuilding to exist and develop during periods of political restriction in Eastern and Central Europe. Cardinal Jozef Tomko’s characterization of the federation’s activists as “dissidents of the Communist regime” represented a notable moral recognition of their efforts.
The presentation of Vatican Pontifical Medals to Dr. Edmundas Daubaras and Stefan Hrčka testified to the international recognition of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation and its contribution to the promotion of healthy living and physical culture worldwide.
This visit remains one of the most important events in the history of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation and is regarded as a significant example of international recognition of the global bodybuilding movement in the early twenty-first century.
Among the documented events in the history of modern bodybuilding, this visit stands as one of the rare occasions on which the head of an international bodybuilding organization was officially received at the Vatican and honored with Vatican Pontifical Medals. As such, it occupies a distinctive place in the historical development of international bodybuilding and fitness organizations.
You can get more information on international site www.wff.lt
A UNIQUE EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF WORLD SPORT – OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE VATICAN
While preparing the World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia, it is essential to highlight an exceptional event in the history of world sport – the Official Visit of the President of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, to the Vatican.
The Beginning of the Visit to the Vatican
While developing international sports relations, in early April 2011 the President of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, visited Poland, Germany, France, Monaco, Italy, and Slovakia. During his stay in Monaco, he received a telephone call from Italy informing him that an official visit to the Vatican had been arranged. Shortly thereafter, he departed for Italy.
Before the official visit, a meeting was organized with a representative of the Vatican in Italy, during which the forthcoming program and scheduled meetings were discussed.
The Vatican Recognized the Struggle for Bodybuilding Recognition
The Vatican is not only the center of the Roman Catholic Church but also the sovereign State of Vatican City. In 2011, an official meeting was organized in the Vatican to present the worldwide activities of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation.
During the meeting, His Eminence Cardinal Jozef Tomko listened with great interest to the history of bodybuilding development and the struggle for recognition of the sport during the period when bodybuilding was prohibited in many countries of the Socialist Bloc. Appreciating these long-standing efforts and activities, Cardinal Jozef Tomko referred to the leaders of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. as “dissidents of the Communist regime.”
Particularly impressive was the Vatican State’s positive evaluation of the federation’s efforts to promote physical activity, health, fitness, and bodybuilding throughout the world.
In recognition of their contribution to the development of the international sports movement, His Eminence Cardinal Jozef Tomko presented the original Vatican Pontifical Medals, Medaglia Ufficiale di Pontificato di Sua Santità Benedetto XVI, to:
• Dr. Edmundas Daubaras – President of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation;
• Stefan Hrčka (Slovakia) – Honorary Official of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation.
The awards were presented on March 29, 2011, at the Headquarters of the Vatican City State.
Acquaintance with the Historical Treasures of the Vatican
During the official visit, Father Paolo, a representative of the Vatican Administration, introduced the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. delegation to the Vatican administrative headquarters, the historic archives, and the repositories housing personal belongings of various Pontiffs that possess exceptional historical value.
On the following morning, at St. Peter’s Basilica, Dr. Edmundas Daubaras was invited to participate in a unique personal Holy Mass. This event became a significant historical milestone in the development of the international bodybuilding movement and an important symbol of international recognition for the activities of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation.
Historical Significance
The official visit of Dr. Edmundas Daubaras, President of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. International Federation, to the Vatican in 2011 became an outstanding event not only in the history of the federation but also in the broader history of international bodybuilding. During this visit, representatives of the Vatican State officially became acquainted with the activities, history, and efforts of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. to promote physical activity, fitness, and bodybuilding throughout the world.
Particularly significant was the high appreciation expressed by Vatican officials for the federation’s work and for the contribution of its leaders in defending the right of bodybuilding to exist and develop during periods of political restriction in Eastern and Central Europe. Cardinal Jozef Tomko’s characterization of the federation’s activists as “dissidents of the Communist regime” represented a notable moral recognition of their efforts.
The presentation of Vatican Pontifical Medals to Dr. Edmundas Daubaras and Stefan Hrčka testified to the international recognition of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation and its contribution to the promotion of healthy living and physical culture worldwide.
This visit remains one of the most important events in the history of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. Federation and is regarded as a significant example of international recognition of the global bodybuilding movement in the early twenty-first century.
Among the documented events in the history of modern bodybuilding, this visit stands as one of the rare occasions on which the head of an international bodybuilding organization was officially received at the Vatican and honored with Vatican Pontifical Medals. As such, it occupies a distinctive place in the historical development of international bodybuilding and fitness organizations.
You can get more information on international site www.wff.lt

