Krakow news 08 August 2016: Local cyclist wins Olympic bronze / 86,000 want Krakow Mayor recalled / World Youth Day bomb threat trial

Local cyclist Rafał Majka wins Bronze at Rio Olympics

26-year-old Rafał Majka, from the village of Zegartowice 32 km outside of Krakow, took the bronze medal at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympics men’s individual road race. Majka is considered one of Poland’s most talented cyclists, having won the Polish National Road Race Championships earlier this year and competing well in the Tour de France.

Recall referendum for Krakow Mayor may go forward soon: Election Commissioner

The activist group Logiczna Alternatywna has submitted more than 86,000 local signatures in favor of a referendum on Krakow Mayor Jacek Majchrowski’s leadership. Only 58,000 signatures are necessary, but all must be verified by the Krakow Election Commission before the process moves forward. Commissioner Teresa Anna Rak told the Polish news portal LoveKrakow that a decision will be made by the end of the week.

Man threatening World Youth Day bombing faces prison

29-year-old Szymon A. faces up to 8 years in prison for a false bomb threat he made during World Youth Day. “I’m going to Błonia, bomb ready,” he posted [in Polish] online, referring to the large Krakow park where the Pope addressed a massive crowd of pilgrims. He was originally detained by police after a routine security check at the field, who found unmixed ingredients which could form the basis for explosives in his backpack. The suspect, who has been investigated before for making false bomb threats, admitted in court that he had no real intention of an attack.