The Netherlands will host the first three stages of this year’s Giro d’Italia, one of the world’s biggest road-cycling races. Amsterdam celebrates the tour’s kick off on 8 May. Traditionally, the day’s winner receives congratulatory flowers and kisses from a 'Tour Miss', but in Amsterdam it could be a tour Mister.

Listen to the Newsline report:

A local TV station is producing a talent show “Ciao Bella!” in which Amsterdam's 'Tour Miss' will be picked. But after Amsterdam city councillor Marco de Goede (Green Party) called for a male Tour Miss, a few men signed up for the competition too.

After two rounds, the ten finalists now comprise nine women and one man – 21-year-old Yaïr da Costa.

Rebel
It could be regarded as a joke by a young rebel, but Mr Da Costa is serious. He says he is using his possible turn as the world’s first male Tour Miss to break down a few barriers in the very male-dominated sport of cycling. Barriers that also keep homophobia in sports alive and well, says Marco de Goede.

“The winner’s jersey in the Giro is pink”, he told Radio Netherlands Worldwide, “and with Amsterdam being the world’s gay capital, we thought that combination would be a good symbol to address the problem of homophobia in sports. A male ‘Tour Miss’ is one way to raise that issue”.

‘Too friendly’
“As a gay man, I’ve experienced homophobia in sports myself”, adds Mr Da Costa.

“I used to play baseball and when I came out, the players told me they accepted me for who I am. But one team mate refused to sit next to me in the car because he was afraid of me. And suddenly parents whose children I taught how to play baseball complained about me being too friendly with their kids.”

Yaïr says he’s convinced the general public would accept him as a male Tour Miss. “Why shouldn’t men be a part of this? I’m pretty sure many women and gay men would love to see a good looking male on the podium kissing the winner”.

Not amused
Even though Yaïr appears to be dead serious, the organisers of the Giro d’Italia are not amused by the initiative. “We will bring our own Tour Misses from Italy,” a spokesman said. “There will certainly be no male Tour Miss. It is something most of our cyclists would not accept”.

The Dutch organisation for professional cyclists agrees. “I don’t think it’s very likely any of our members would kiss a male Tour Miss after a race in front of a huge TV audience”, a spokesman said.
 
Open up
Mr De Goede remains convinced that a male Tour Miss would be good for the world of sports.

“From the mostly negative responses we got from the Netherlands and from Italy, we’re convinced we have to address the problem of homophobia in sports. Ten percent of the population is gay, but if you look at the world of sports, it seems as if homosexuality simply doesn’t exist. It’s time for the sporting world to open up”.

Programmes
Amsterdam city council runs special programmes targeted at eliminating homophobia. “We have a dedicated campaign in secondary schools,” Mr De Goede says, “and they’re much needed, as homophobia in sports – especially in football – still exists. We should take any opportunity to address this problem”.

Meanwhile, Yaïr is hoping the jury on Ciao Bella will pick him as the winner. “I love Italy, I love the culture, the fashion and the food. I even speak the language. So I don’t see why they shouldn’t pick me”.