The Nigeria Cycling Federation (NCF) clarified yesterday that the country’s lone cyclist at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Ese Ukpeseraye, was not initially registered to participate in the track events at the Games.
The story of Ukpeseraye’s participation in the keirin event with a bicycle borrowed from the German team at the Games went viral when the athlete posted it on her X account.
Reacting to the story yesterday, CFN President Giadomenico Massari said that the federation had to borrow a bicycle from its partners because it did not go with one.
According to Massari, Ukpeseraye only qualified for the Road Race and travelled to Paris with only the equipment required for the event.
However, Nigeria was invited to replace Egypt in the keirin and individual sprint event following the disqualification of an Egyptian track athlete.
He stressed that the track events require very special equipment, which is “approved specifically for the Olympics and requires many months before it can be delivered. But through our supporter and equipment sponsor, we were able to get the bike for the competition.
“The German team is in partnership with our supporters and sponsors, and the arrangement was made to ensure that she did not miss the competition.
“Our track bikes, which have been used for world championships, cannot be used at the Olympics because they are not approved for it. We only got all the approval by the UCI (cycling world body) and the IOC yesterday (Wednesday).”
Massari said that Ukpeseraye was able to train and race in the keirin event, adding that she will feature in the individual sprint today.
