Nigerian authorities are under fire after Cyclist Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics without her own bicycle.
Ukpeseraye made history, becoming the first Nigerian to participate in the event at the summer games.
She qualified for the Olympics by excelling in three separate cycling events, including one road race and two track cycling competitions.
Bella Naija reports that Giandomenico Massari, president of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, highlighted Nigeria’s qualification for the event as noteworthy.
The 25-year-old Nigerian athlete finished 4th in her heat on Wednesday, narrowly missing out on a podium finish.
Meanwhile, she took to social media to thank the German team for coming to her rescue by offering her a bicycle.
Ukpeseraye wrote on X:
“Due to the short notice of me competing at the keirin & Sprint, #teamNigeria I had no bicycle to race with on the tracks.
“In d spirit of sportsmanship the German team @bunddeutscherradfahr came to my rescue by offering me a bicycle.”
Nigerians react
Nigerians have taken to the comments section to demand explanation from authorities.
@jostezz_ said: “Just rep Germany next time, we will accept it since nigeria can’t be pro active.”
@s_mofficial added: “I’ve never seen anything like this before in my life. What a shame.”
@zubidavies said: “Just imagine what those foreigners will think of us as a country. If you look at the Olympic games, you will know that our investment in sports is terrible. “Some sports have not even crossed anyone’s mind here.”
@PoojaMedia added: “The Minister must probe so many Federations after this Olympics if truly, funds were released for this.” Read more: https://www.legit.ng/sports/1606932-paris-2024-nigerian-cyclist-borrows-bicycle-germany-compete-olympic-games/
