Nigerian cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye has revealed how she received support from the German cycling team at the ongoing Paris Olympics.
Representing Team Nigeria, Ukpeseraye wrote on her X handle on Thursday that because of the short notice of her participation in the keirin and sprint events she had no bicycle to race with.
“Due to the short notice of me competing at the keirin & Sprint, #teamNigeria I had no bicycle to race with on the tracks,” the 25-year-old said.
Ukpeseraye said the German team Bund Deutscher Radfahrer came to her rescue, thanking them for the gesture.
“In d spirit of sportsmanship the German team @bunddeutscherradfahr came to my rescue by offering me a bicycle. Thank you,” she said.
Ukpeseraye rides for UCI Women’s Continental Team Canyon–SRAM Generation. She has won multiple gold medals at the African track cycling championships, as well as in the road race at the 2023 African Road Championships. She also competed at the 2021 and 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
Among the many interesting reactions from her post, sports photojournalist Pooja wrote, “The Minister must probe so many Federations after this Olympics if truly, funds were released for this.”
Social media influencer Rinu Oduala urged the cyclist to call out those who should have made provision for the bicycle.
“They didn’t provide you with a bicycle? Who’s the person in charge of this? Please name him. These people shouldn’t be hiding under the guise of their jobs. Call them out! Nigerians will do the job for you,” Oduala wrote.
