Bennett: ‘Bible’s just book that’s out of control’
New Zealand cyclist George Bennett has described The Bible as “a storybook that got out of hand” when highlighting the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The 28-year-old LottoNL-Jumbo rider has been outspoken about the city of Jerusalem — one of the world’s most contested regions — while competing in the Giro d’Italia.
Jerusalem was the scene for the race’s opening stage, before two more were completed within Israel.
Speaking to The Cycling Podcast, Bennett said he enjoyed the atmosphere in the city but within reason.
“If you look at the city as a whole and ignore the politics — it’s obviously so deeply oppressed at the moment — it’s nice. I guess a lot of people in Jerusalem are there for spiritual holidays but I don’t feel anything for religious artefacts or places.
Kiwi golfer Danny Lee is two rounds away from claiming one of his career-best results, but he will need to overcome one of his recent shortcomings to do so.
Lee sits in a tie for second at the Players Championship — billed as golf’s unofficial fifth major — after a superb six-under second round of 66.
It was a round which launched him to 10-under for the tournament — his best start to an event since last July.
To find success at the Players, though, Lee will need to also record his best finish. This year, Lee has made four cuts in 13 events, but in each case, he has stumbled at the weekend — failing to claim a top 50 finish on the PGA Tour in 2018.
His weekend rounds in those four events do not make for pretty reading — 73, 78, 70, 75, 70, 79, 70 and 74 — and before the dream of winning the title begins, Lee will need to ensure he first consolidates his promising position.
After carding a relatively sedate fourunder in his first round, with five birdies and one bogey, the 27-year-old carded eight birdies, an eagle, two bogeys and a double bogey in his round yesterday, which saw him at even par
“For me, it [The Bible] is just a storybook that got out of hand.”
Bennett’s Twitter profile describes him as an “antitheist”, a term generally used to define someone opposed to believing in the existence of a God or gods.
The cyclist addressed his disappointment at the lack of Palestine recognition on the tour, given both countries assert claims over Jerusalem.
“The reality is that I’m not really educated on it enough to make through 11 holes before roaring home.
On his final seven holes, Lee picked up six shots, catapulting him past an array of talent to sit pretty on the leaderboard.
Lee puts the success down to his putting, sitting second in putts per green in regulation for the tournament.
“I’ve been putting really bad this season, I just haven’t been hitting it that well. I’m happy to see the results coming out this week — it feels like it’s the right time at the right moment,” he said.
Lee’s round was the day’s second-best but unfortunately for him, the best round was recorded by the runaway leader.
Webb Simpson tied the course record with a nine-under par 63, and it could have been even better, with the American reaching 11-under par with just two holes to play.
Alas, one of those holes was the famous island green on No 17 and Simpson sent his tee shot into the water.
“Just the wrong club,” Simpson rued, but he had a handy consolation prize — going five shots clear atop the leaderboard at 15-under par.
His 36-hole lead is the largest in the history of the tournament, and the three other players to have led by three shots or more at the halfway mark have all gone on to win.
That’s bad news for the chasing pack but before Lee sets his sights on winning, he’ll first need to fix his weekend woes. statements [on the political situation] or draw conclusions,” Bennett said.
“Palestine is noticeable by its absence. There’s just no sign that there’s a whole other country, which is a bit weird and disappointing.
“I would like to have seen some acknowledgement.”
Bennett is not alone in his views, sharing them with activist groups concerned about hosting the race in the controversial region. As a result, some Palestinian groups have tagged him in Twitter posts.
“It’s not as simple as one side’s right and one side’s wrong, it’s just a complicated situation and that’s no reason not to have a bike race here,” he said.
Bennett, who remained in the top 10 overall after finishing 30th in stage seven of the race yesterday, is the latest elite athlete to state his beliefs on religion’s role in society — after Australian rugby player Israel Folau last month controversially claimed God’s plan for gay people was “hell unless they repent their sins” and caused ructions at Rugby Australia.