Intro:

Thousands took part in a Tour de France-sponsored 'Race for Peace' in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Sunday (22 June).

Script:

Thousands of amateur cyclists joined some 150 professionals for a Tour de France-sponsored race in Sarajevo on Sunday.

The event marked the beginning of commemorations for the 100th anniversary of World War One.

Both Bosnian Serbs and Muslims assembled to take part in the race promoting peace, crossing from the Serb side of Sarajevo to the Muslim side of the city.

Starting in the Serb majority suburb of East Sarajevo, the 140-kilometre (87-mile) race took in the mountains surrounding the city before ending in predominantly Muslim part of central Sarajevo.

The race, called the Sarajevo Grand Prix, was attended by former and current professional cyclists alike.

French national rider Frederic Lubach highlighted that cycling was the least important factor of the event, and that those present should focus on the anniversary of World War One in Sarajevo.

SOUNDBITE (English): Frederic Lubach, French cyclist:

"It is very important because of all the ceremony and commemoration. It's not just a race for sports and for cycling, but it's a race of memory and it is really more than sport."

The 1980 Tour de France champion, Joop Zoetemelk, added that the race promoted unity among the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.