The Nigeria Cycling Federation (NCF) has clarified that the only rider representing Nigeria at the current Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Ese Ukpeseraye, was not initially registered to race in the track events.
After Ukpeseraye revealed on her X account that she had used a bicycle borrowed from the German team to compete in the keirin event, rumours quickly spread.
CFN President Giadomenico Massari responded to these accusations on Thursday, stating that the federation was unable to carry a bicycle to the Olympics this year and had to borrow one from its partners.
According to Massari, Ukpeseraye initially qualified for the Road Race alone and brought the required gear with him when he went to Paris.
Nigeria was later invited to compete in the keirin and individual sprint events instead of Egypt, though, following the disqualification of an Egyptian track athlete
He pointed out that track meets need specialist equipment that has to be certified especially for the Olympics and takes months to arrive.
The NCF obtained the bike for the competition with the help of their equipment sponsor.
To ensure that Ukpeseraye could compete, Massari went on to say that the German team, working with their sponsors and supporters, made the necessary arrangements.
“Our track bikes, which have been used in world championships, are not approved for Olympic use. We only received all the necessary approvals from the UCI (cycling world body) and the IOC yesterday.”
