The Ministry of Sports Development, has described the news making the rounds about Ese Ukpeseraye not having a bicycle to participate at the games as bushtelegraph.
News making the rounds that Nigeria’s sole entrant for the Paris Olympic Games, Ese Ukpeseraye didn’t have a bicycle to participate at the Games, is false and a misrepresentation of Fact.
Ukpeseraye only qualified for the Road Race and she was prepared for that event in terms of training and equipment, her participation for two track events, Kerin and individual sprint was impromptu following the disqualification of an Egyptian track athlete.
Egyptian track cyclist Shahd Saeed was disqualified from participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics in July.
The decision to disqualify Saeed was taken by the Egyptian Olympic Committee, followed a collision with a rival teammate in April.
The Ministry of Sports Development under the leadership of Sen. John Owan Enoh is committed to the welfare of all athletes.
The German team that provided the bicycle for Ukpeseraye is in partnership with our supporters and sponsors and the arrangement was made to prevent her missing the competition.
Our track bikes which have been used for world championships cannot be used because they are not approved for Olympics, we only got all the approval by the UCI (cycling world body) and the IOC yesterday (Wednesday). Ese Ukpeseraye has been able to train and race in the Kerin event and tomorrow (today) she will race in individual sprint.
Note that bicycles used for the Olympics requires many months before it can be delivered and through our supporter and equipment sponsors, we were able to get the bike for the competition.
SIGNED
Kehinde Ajayi (Mrs)
Director of Information and Public Relations
