For the first time, the cycling World Cup takes place in an African country. The competitions in Rwanda begin from Sunday. In political terms, the venue is considered a delicate.
For the first time he has Radsport World Association, UCI, the World championships placed in an African country. The competitions in Rwanda begin from Sunday. In political terms, the venue is considered a delicate.
The routes in the highlands of Kigali are particularly demanding, the men’s professional race on September 28, for example, comes up to a length of 267.5 kilometers and brings it to an incredible 5,475 meters of altitude, which is a record in the 98-year history of cycling world championships. The World Cycling Association (UCI) first awarded its 92nd edition to Africa at the end of September 2023, Rwanda, the internal city in East Africa, was awarded the land of 1,000 hills.
The host’s policy provides concern
Some of the big stars of the scene will be there, Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel, for example, among the men and tour winner Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt. This Sunday, the Rwandian cycling games begin with the time trials of men and women. They end with the very demanding men’s race a week later.
But the sport is only the brilliantly illuminated side of this event. Nevertheless, another is increasingly pushing into the light from the shadow. It is about Rwanda as an organizer, a country whose political conditions are considered problematic. In February, the EU Parliament had submitted the claim to withdraw the World Cup in a resolution application to withdraw the Rwanda if the country “Don’t change his course”.
Specifically, it is about the accusation that Rwanda’s army in the civil war, which is raging in the neighboring state of Democratic Republic of Congo, supports the M23 rebel group military. The Rwandian government rejects any criticism of the support of the M23 rebels. You only defend your borders and border areas as well as the Tutsi minority in the neighboring country. Because of the critical situation in this region, the Federal Foreign Office advises against non -necessary trips there.
Rwanda is active in football and wants Formula 1
Critics accuse the World Cup district judge and its President Paul Kagame that the Rad World Cup serves as sports water. As a means to improve the country’s image. The Rwandian strategy also speaks for this to play a special role in the world of sport. FC Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain advertise the “Visit Rwanda” tourism initiative on their jersey sleeves.
FC Bayern is also part of this charm offensive, but the German record champion drove his commitment back from the circle of his politically active fans after violent criticism. The slogan no longer appears on the advertising gangs in the Allianz Arena, there is only a funding contract for youth football. In another area, Rwanda also wants to draw attention to itself: the small country with 14 million inhabitants would like to organize a Formula 1 race.
President Kagame rules authoritarian
The name of the State of Rwanda is primarily remembered because of a terrible event. A cruel genocide raged there 31 years ago. Radical militias of the Huti ethnic group killed up to 800,000 members of Tutsi minority in just 100 days. That was a fanal. Kagame, on the other hand, has been in Rwanda for 25 years now, and as a militia leader he had taken care of the end of the genocide.
His supporters announced that he has now reunited the country and stabilized economically. However, various human rights organizations see the situation much more critical. According to them, the opposition is intimidated and press freedom is restricted.
At the end of June, for example, Human Rights Watch reported that Kagame’s long -time rival Victoire Ingabire was arrested, in good time before the World Cup. The formation of a criminal union and the planning of activities to incorporate public unrest is accused. “Ingabire’s arrest is only the latest example of the dangers of political opposition in Rwanda”said Lewis Mudge, the director of the Central Africa department of Human Rights Watch.
UCI does not impress political situations
This overall situation flanked the cycling World Cup from the time of its award. UCI President David Lappartient defiantly reacted to the EU’s motion for a resolution, especially since the 17th edition of the Rwanda tour went smoothly. There is “no plan B,” said Lappartient, the World Cup will take place in Rwanda.
The euphoria before the arrival of the bike stars is very large on site. The country has a large cycling tradition. The tour du Rwanda has been held annually since 2001, the spectator volume on this tour is exceptionally large. The infrastructure is described as very well. National coach Jens Zemke says: “I think it will be unique, especially with the crowds and enthusiasm.”
World association sees good ones Future prospects
The UCI is primarily promised by the World Cup in Rwanda a special promotion of African cycling. She has been maintaining a training center at her Swiss headquarters in Aigle since 2002, the title “Center Mondial du Cyclisme“Bears. There is an academy that takes up young cyclists who do not come from the cycling core continents of Europe, North America or Australia and which have received an Olympic scholarship in the disciplines of rail and road cycling, mountain bike or BMX.
A graduate of this academy is the Eritrean Biniam Girmay, who won three stages of the Tour de France and the green jersey in the summer of 2024. Africa really got his success on the map of cycling.
Flags Biniam Girmay
After some hesitation, GIRMAY agreed to participate in the professional race on September 28 because of the severity of the course. However, regardless of the efforts of the UCI, he appeals to the World Tour teams to send their scouts to Africa when promoting talent. “This is essential for the development of cycling there”. And there are many talents that shy away from the jump to the UCI center in Aigle.
For GIRMAY it is certain: “The World Cup in Rwanda is definitely a milestone for African cycling”. He therefore wants to experience the event live in the peloton.